WRECKAGE 



JHARTLEY MANNERS 




Gop}Tl^htN^ 



COPVRFGHT DEPOSnv 



DRAMATIC WORKS OF J. HARTLEY MANNERS 



WRECKAGE 



BY THE SAME AUTHOR 

• • 


• 

"Peg 0' My Heart" 


A novel founded by Mr. Manners 


on his Comedy of Youth 


of the same title. 


Happiness and Other 


Plays 



WRECKAGE 

A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS 



BY 

J. HARTLEY MANNERS 



WITH A PREFACE BY 

CHARLES B. TOWNS 



NEW YORK 

DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 

1916 









Copyright, 1918 
By DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY, INC. 

All rights reserved 



//e£ 



ill 

MIR 21 1916 

©CU428341 



U3[ 

0^ 



DEDICATION 

To all those in this great country who have fallen 
victim to the Drug-Habit and think there is no hope of 
freedom, and to the millions who run the risk daily 
of forming the Drug-Habit I dedicate this play. 

My one object in writing it was to bring light to a 
curse that has eaten into the life of the nation: to show 
how the Habit may be contracted: to what depths a 
human being can fall while under its influence: and the 
ultimate hope of delivery from the poison when intelli- 
gently treated. 

I desire it to be an arraignment of the conditions 
that brought about the evil: an exposition of its effect 
on human life: and a message of hope to those who 
have become victims to it. 

The Author. 

January, 1916. 



<^> 



PREFACE 

The occasion of my meeting the author of this strik- 
ing and unusual play was to me a most pleasing one. 
One day, some two years ago, I answered a telephone 
call. At the other end of the line was ]Mr. Manners. 
He introduced liimself and told me that he had written 
a one-act play, which was to be produced at a " Gam- 
bol " of the Lambs' Club. The play, he said, had to 
do with the subject of drug-addiction, and on account 
of the nature of my work and my long acquaintance 
with the many phases of the drug-habit and the psycho- 
logical and physiological characteristics of drug-takers, 
he desired that I should hear the manuscript read 
before the play was produced, in order that the patho- 
logical details of character and action might be abso- 
lutely correct. When the manuscript was read to me, 
I was greatly surprised at the strength of the play. 
The psychology of drug-addiction had been brought out 
admirably. I was amazed to see the subject treated 
with such clear understanding by a man who was not 
a physician, who had never himself been afflicted with 
the drug-habit, who had never had any one in his family 
with such an affliction, and whose dramatic and socio- 
logical interest in the subject had been aroused solely 
by his coming into casual contact with some well-known 
characters who were drug-takers. 
-C vii:}. 



PREFACE 

On the evening when the play was produced, I was 
invited to give an introductory talk on the subject of 
the drug-habit to the members of the Lambs' Club. 
This I did, and I predicted at that time that, on account 
of the fine handling of the subject by the author, we 
should certainly hear more of this work. I told Mr. 
Manners that he must not stop there, that he should 
take up the subject in a broader and more thorough- 
going way. From time to time after this we came to- 
gether and discussed the matter and all its possibilities. 
This drama in three acts, bearing the original title of 
the play produced at the Lambs' Club gambol, is the 
result. 

The work comes at the right moment. The subject 
is of the greatest sociological import and interest at 
the present time, and the play takes up in a most vivid 
and practical way the fundamental psychology of the 
drug-habit. 

Every drug-taker, every one interested in any person 
who takes drugs, every physician, every one concerned 
in the social welfare of the country, every legislator, 
every one in the State or Government service, every 
member of every Board of Health should read this mov- 
ing drama plucked from the heart of our modern social 
body. I trust it will find its way into every public 
library and that preachers and teachers and all those 
coming into contact with the drug-problem in any of 
its phases will acquaint themselves witli the facts here 
so strikingly brought out. 

In presenting various phases of the habit-forming 
-C viii > 



PREFACE 

drug problem, the author has not overdrawn in the 
slightest degree or in any detail. There is an abun- 
dance of parallel instances in everyday life coming out 
of the prescribing and administering of drugs in cases 
of illness. There are many true things in this work 
to open the eyes of men and women who stand in immi- 
nent danger because no one has put them on their guard. 
Mr. Manners's play is a work of art; that is to say, a 
presentation of character and an appeal to the emotions 
through dramatic action; but it also calls out clearly, 
" Stop ! Look ! Listen ! " 

Art is often more effective than the pulpit or the 
platform, and I believe this play will perform a great 
sociological service. It will help to make the physician, 
the druggist, the trained nurse and all who prescribe 
or administer habit-forming drugs realise more fully 
their grave* responsibility. It will help to safeguard 
those who are exposed to the danger of having the 
drug-habit put upon them, and it will suggest to those 
who are already afflicted the best way to escape from 
their slavery. 




( t/^H ^^^y^^ 



New York, 

January 22, 1916. 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Dedication, by the Author ...... v 

Preface, by Charles B. Towns ..... vii 

The People of the Play 3 

The Scenes of the Play 3 

Act I. Out of the Depths 5 

Act II. Crisis 07 

Act III. Salvation 151 

Appendix 223 



WRECKAGE 

Begun in 1913. Completed in 1915 



< 1 > 



" Have you ever given a thought to the outcasts of a 
city as big as New York? The Wreckage of Life? 
Have you? Go down into the depths and look at them. 
See people waking to the Dawn of Nothing. Listen to 
the cry of the fallen — men and women bruised and 
maimed in tliis devil's-smithy. Go and look at them. 
It will help you. If you have a heart you will help 
them." 



< 2 y 



THE PEOPLE OF THE PLAY 

Dr. Lanfear 
Dr. Cobb 
John Burrows 
A Patient 
Servant 
Mrs. Lanfear 
Mrs. Burrows 
Kate Burrows 
Nurse 

The action of Acts I and II passes in Dr. Lanfear's 
consulting-room in the Spring of 1913. 

The third act takes place in a Villa by the Sea two 
weeks later. 



-C 3 y 



Out of the Depths 



-C 5 > 



ACT I 

The action passes in Dr. Lanfear's consulting office. 
The room is quite dark except for some faint moon- 
light that streams in through the sides and bottom of 
the curtains on the open xcindoivs at the bach and a 
gleam of electric light from the hall through the partly 
open doors L. After a fezv moments some one enters 
and turns on the lights in the room. He is Dr. 
Lanfear, a slim, dark, tense, eager young man of 32. 
He goes back to the open doors L., beckons, and is 
immediately joined by Kate Burrows, an extremely 
pretty, sensitive, happy-looking girl of 22. Dr. 
Lanfear closes the doors. The sounds die away. 

DR. LANFEAR 

You don't mind leaving them? 

KATE 

I'm glad to. 

DR. LANFEAR 

When I'm tired music irritates me. [^Smiles at her.] 

KATE 

And I hate playing cards. It's much nicer here. 
The first time I've seen it. [Looking around.] So this 
is where you work miracles. 

< 7 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Chafjingly.] Often. 

KATE 

[Walking around examining things."] Relieve suffer- 
ing. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

KATE 

Bring life to death. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Frequently. 

KATE 

And health to the sick. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Always. 

KATE 

What a wonderful life yours must be. 

DR. LANFEAR 

It is. 

KATE 

I'd love to be a doctor. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Come along in. There's plenty of room in the pro- 
fession. 

-C 8 > 



ACT I 

KATE 

I wish I could. [He smiles-l Really I do. What a 
lot of power and influence you doctors must have. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Too much — sometimes. 

KATE 

Why? 

DR. LANFEAR 

They are dangerous forces to use properly. They 
need conscience as a balance-wheel. 

KATE 

Of course. [Looks earnestly at him.'\ You have a 
conscience. 

DR. LANFEAR 

We all have. 

KATE 

Well.? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Sometimes it sleeps. 

KATE 

[Eagerly.'] Has yours? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Not yet. I've not been at it very long. 
< 9 > 



WRECKAGE 



[With a sigh of relief.] You frightened me. All 
doctors should have consciences. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'd make it part of their qualification. 

KATE 

You're laughing at me. 
YThey look at each other a moment then laugh merrily 
together, care-free as though they were children. She 
suddenly resumes her tour of inspection and points to 
the straight-backed oak chair L. of the table. ^ 
Is that the poor patient's chair .^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

Depends on the case. 

KATE 

Why.? 

DR. LANFEAR 

When I want them to relax I put them in here. 
[Goes behind the comfortable chair R. of table,'^ 

KATE 

Oh. And tliis? ^Touching the one L. of table.'\ 

DR. LANFEAR 

High-backed: gives support. Broad arms! Good to 
hold on to. 

[Kate shudders and moves away.'] 

-C 10 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAR 

Come here. [Wheels the chair R. of table forward.] 
[Kate sits in the comfortable padded chair.l^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

Relax. 

[She sinks back.] 

Now answer me one or two questions. [Sits in a pro- 
fessional manner in the chair behind the table.] 

KATE 

[Smiling faintly.] I feel almost ill. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Takes her wrist and feels her pulse, watch in hand.] 
Pulse high : colour uncertain : breathing rapid — 

KATE 

[Withdrawing her wrist with a jerk.] Don't! 

DR. LANFEAR 

Shall I tell you what is wrong with you? 

[Kate nods, with a half -frightened smile on her lips.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

You are suffering from the most common ailment 
amongst some women in America to-day — inertia. You 
are ambitious, yet you do nothing. 

KATE 

My family don't want me to. 

-C 11 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. lANFEAR 

The individual should rise superior to the family. 

KATE 

What do you think I should do? 

DR. LANFEAR 

You have only to choose. Women are doing every- 
thing. 

KATE 

I'm so useless. I've not been brought up to do any- 
thing. 

DR. LANFEAR 

You are on the threshold of womanhood in a world 
of striving women. Are you content to be left in the 
race? 

KATE 

No. 

DR. LANFEAR, 

Then join the procession. 

KATE 

Do you want me to be a suffragette? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I want you to give the best that is in you to life — 
not to dreams, and stupid chatter and tennis and dances. 
That is only playing at life. 

-C 12 > 



ACT I 

KATE 

All right. I'll start something right away. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I wish you would. It isn't the daily round of duties 
and pleasures that makes our lives. It is the something 
above them. Something in the mind. It is that makes 
life. 

KATE 

Poor little me. I haven't got a mind. It's too bad, 
but really I haven't. It's the one thing my parents 
agree on. How stupid you must think me. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'm coming to that. 

KATE 

[Pouting.l Oh! Are you! 

DR. I^NFEAR 

For months there has been something in my mind, that 
has risen up often between me and my work. It whis- 
pers to me at a bed of suffering: it cries to me a hundred 
times through the day. 

KATE 

How naughty of it. Wliat is it? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Love. 

-C 13 > 



WRECKAGE 

KATE 

[Startled.l Love? [Looking at him curiously.'} 
Love! 

DR. LAN FEAR 

Yes. For you. [Pause.'\ Sometimes I've thought 
I've seen it in your eyes, too. Have I? [Pause.1 I 
love you. [She rises and moves away. Follows /ler.] 
Have I seen it in your eyes ? Do you love me .'' 

KATE 

How can I — if I haven't got a mind? You must 
have a mind to love. 

DR. I^ANFEAR 

Have a mind to love me. Will you? 

KATE 

But I'm so stupid. You said so. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Will you marry me? 

KATE 

Not until I've done something. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Will you then? 

KATE 

Perhaps. 

DR. LANFEAR 

That means you will. Doesn't it? 
-C 14 > 



ACT I 

KATE 

Oh, I don't know. If I ever develop a mind I may 
change it. That is woman's right, isn't it.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

Do you like me.^ 

KATE 

[Nods.] A bit. 

DR. LANFEAR 

How much? 

KATE 

Quite a good deal really. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Enough to marry me? 

KATE 

Very nearly — after I've done something. 
[Dr. Lanfear goes to embrace her.^ 

KATE 

[Chechs him.] Stop! You must wait until I've 
joined the procession, 

DR. LANFEAR 

I wish I hadn't said that now. 

KATE 

I'm very glad you did. I'm going to join the striving 
women and make my life. 

-C 15 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAU 

And then? Will you become a doctor's wife? 

KATE 

[Excitedly.] Oh! I'll like that. May I sit here 
with you? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Decidedly.] No. You may not. 

KATE 

But I wouldn't say anything. I'd only listen. 

DR. LANFEAR. 

I'd have a fine chance to get the truth out of a patient 
with you listening. 

KATE 

[Disappointedly.] Why not? 

DR. LANFEAR 

It's hard enough to wring it out of them alone. With 
you here it would be impossible. 

KATE 

Couldn't I share in your work? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Not by listening. But there are a thousand other 
ways where a doctor's wife can be a real help-mate. 

KATE 

Are there? 

-C 16 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAB 

There are. 

KATE 

And you'd let me.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

I will let you. I'll do more — I'll make you. [Whis- 
pers.^ Do you love me.'' 

KATE 

[Nods: whispers.] Yes. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Whispers.] You'll marry a doctor? 

KATE 

[Nods: whispers.] Yes, 

DR. LANFEAR 

Soon.'' 

KATE 

[Nods: whispers.] After I've done something. 

[Dr. Lanfear takes her suddenly and impidsively in his 
arms. The doors L. open abruptly and John Bur- 
rows appears in the opening looking curiously in. 
The sound of voices rises in the distance. Burrows 
is a robust, sandy-haired, authoritative man of 55. 
He has the positiveness of speech and the crude domi- 
nance of manner of a man thoroughly satisfied with 
-C 17 > 



WRECKAGE 

conditions and of one who has reached his ambition in 
life through his own efforts. He glowers at the 
young people.] 

BURROWS 

Hello! [Comes well into the room: speaks to Kate.] 
Yer mother wants ye. 

KATE 

[Goes to him.] Isn't this room wonderful? 

BURROWS 

[Looks around disgustedly.] I don't see anything 
wonderful about it. Gives me the creeps. [Contracts 
his shoulders.] I hate doctors' offices anyway. 

KATE 

Fancy! This is where Dr. Lanfear sees his patients. 

BURROWS 

Just what it looks like. [Shivers.] Cold as an ice 
box. 

KATE 

He's been examining me. 

BURROWS 

What's the matter with ye.'' 

KATE 

He'll tell you what I'm suffering from. 
-C 18 > 



ACT I 

BURROWS 

Suffering from? Ye've never been sick in yer life. 

KATE 

I am now. 

BURROWS 
Ye don't look it. It must be since ye came in here. 
[Scowls at Dr. Lanfear.] It's his business to make 
people sick. 

KATE 

No — to cure them. He's going to cure me. 
[Laughs merrily, goes out through doors L., pulls them 

almost together, then speaks through the tiny open- 
, ing.] 

He'll tell you. 
[Shuts herself out of sight. The sound of voices dies 

away. J 

BURROWS 

[Abruptly to Dr. Lanfear.] What's all this about.'' 

DR. lANFEAR 

[Goes across and pulls the heavy curtains over the 
doors L.] 

BURROWS 

What are ye doin' } Shuttin' us in like that ? I don't 
want to stay here. 

[Dr. Lanfear goes down to chair behind the table. ^ 
< 19 > 



WRECKAGE 

BURROWS 

l^TVatching him suspiciously.'] Is my girl sick? 

DR. LANFEAR 

No. 

BURROWS 

Then what's all this fuss about? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I want to talk to you. 

BURROWS 

Well, we'll go in the next room. Tills one's like a 
morgue. 

DR. LANFEAB, 

I won't keep you long. 

BURROWS 

Get on with it then. What's wrong? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Nothing as yet. In fact, everything's all right, so far 
as I can see. {^Opens cigar hox.~\ 

BURROWS 
\JLoohs in disgust at the room.] Nice place this is. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Cigar? [Hands cigar-hox.] 

" < 20 y 



ACT I 

BURROWS 

Yes, I will, I've been wantin' one this hour. Hate 
drawin* rooms. [Pushes box away.'\ I'll use me own. 
Never knew a doctor yet had a decent cigar. If he had 
he never gave 'em away. [Takes out massive case, se- 
lects a cigar, and bites the end off.] 
[Dr. Lanfear lights a match and holds it out. Bur- 
rows refuses it.] 

I'm not ready. Burn yer fingers. I can light me 
own. 

[Lights cigar xvith match from his own gold match-box. 
Dr. Lanfear brings decanter of whisky and a sy- 
phon. Burrows helps himself and drinks. Looks at 
Dr. Lanfear.] 
Aren't ye goin' to have some.'' 

DR. lANFEAR 

No. 

BURROWS 

[Suspiciously.] What's the matter with it.'' [Smells 
the whisky in the glass.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

I stopped years ago. 

BURROWS 

Ye look like it. Put blood into ye. [Finishes glass.] 
Stopped smokin', too? 

-C 21 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

BURROWS 

You're a hell of a fellow. Too bad about you. Now 
then, whatever ye've got to say^ out with it, and don't be 
so mysterious. [Is about to sit in straight backed chair 
L. of table. ^ 

DR. LANFEAR. 

[QuicMi/.l Not that one. 

BURROWS 

[Springs back.] Is it infectious? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Touching the chair R. of table.] This is more com- 
fortable. 

BURROWS 

[Sits heavily: tries to settle himself in it: grunts.] 
Comfortable.'' Hard as iron. This is a fine room. 
[Dr. Lanfear moves nervously about.] 

BURROWS 

Come here. 

[Dr. Lanfear goes to him.] 

What were you examining my girl for.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

I love her. 

-C 22 > 



ACT I 

BURROWS 

[Aghast.] Oh! Do ye! 

DR. LANFEAR 

And she loves me. 

BURROWS 

[Grimly. 1 Indeed? 

DR. LANFEAR 

We are engaged to be married. 

BURROWS 

Is that so? And where do I come in? You're a fine 
young fellow an' no mistake. Ye think that's all there 
is to it, eh? You love her, she loves you, and there you 
are. You're a fine young fellow. If I'd known that 
was in the wind I wouldn't have eaten dinner in yer 
house. I didn't come to see you anyway. My wife 
wanted to dine with yer mother and I trailed along. 
Now ye — 
[Dr. Lanfear moves restlessly up and down the 

room.] 

Keep still, can't ye ? How can I talk to ye if ye keep 
jiggin' about? 

[Dr. Lanfear sits on Chesterfield R.] 

So you want to marry my daughter? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

-C 23 > 



WRECKAGE 



What for? 
I love her. 
That's no reason. 



BURROWS 



DR. LANFEAR 



BURROWS 



DR. LANFEAR 

I think it is. 

BURROWS 

Just startin' life, ain't ye? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

BURROWS 

What do ye want to handicap yerself by marryin' for ? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I don't consider marriage a handicap. 

BURROWS 

Don't ye? I do. My son married at 22. What's 
the result ? What's he doin' at the same age when I was 
earnin' good money an' buildin' up me fortune ? What's 
he doin'? Wearin' down his heels peddlin' things on 
commission with a wife and a couple of children worryin' 
themselves sick in an up-town apartment. He thought 
I'd take care of 'em. Not me. " You married her," I 
said to him. " Go out an' hustle to keep her. Ye 
didn't consult vor about it. Very well, then. Don't 
-C 24 > 



ACT I 

bring yer poor-mouth tales now. Get out." An' he 
got out. [Laughs grimly.} Now you want to do the 
same thing with my daughter. 

DR. LAKFEAE. 

The cases are hardly similar. 

BUREOWS 

How old are ye? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Thirty-two. 

BURROWS 

How long have ye been a doctor? 

DR. lANFEAB 

Five years. 

BURROWS 

What's yer income? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Ten thousand dollars — good years. 

BURROWS 

And the bad ones? 

DR. liANFEAR 

As low as four. 

BURROWS 
What could ye give my daughter on four thousand 
dollars a year? Eh? Ye'd get nothing from me. I 
tell ye that straight. 

-C 25 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAR 

The last two years my practice has steadily increased. 

BURROWS 

Do ye take care of yer mother? 

DR. lANFEAR 

She has her own income. 

BURROWS 

Is yer father alive .^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

No. He died when I was a child. 

BURROWS 

What was he? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I really don't know. 

BURROWS 

Don't know, eh? Why not? 

DR. LANFEAR 

My mother never speaks of him. 

BURROWS 

That so. Somethin' shady, eh? 
-C 26 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAR 

Something very unhappy, I imagine. [Looking 
straight at Burrows.] 

BURROWS 

Ha ! Another of 'em. Married an' made a mess of 
it. An' you want to follow along. Strap yerself up 
when ye ought to be foot-loose. Ye want my permission 
to saddle you with her an' make her miserable with you. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Rises, angrily.'] You've no right to say that. 
BURROWS 

[Loudly.'] Oh! Haven't I? She's my daughter, 
ain't she.'' 

[Dr. Lanfear turns indignantly up the room.] 

BURROWS 

There you go again. Come here. [Pause — then in- 
sistently.] Come here. 
[Dr. Lanfear moves down in front of Burrows and 

stands looking down moodily at him.] 

BURROWS 

[Disgustedly eyeing Dr. Lanfear up and down.] A 
doctor! Dependin' for yer livin' on the health of this 
city. 

DR. LANFEAR 

No. Upon its disease. 

-C 27 > 



WRECKAGE 

BURROWS 

It must be a damned unpleasant way to make money. 

DR. LANFEAR, 

It's the most wonderful of all ways. 

BURROWS 

[Derisively. 1 Is it! 

DR. LANFEAR. 

No priest, no statesman, no pliilosopher can do what 
the modern physician can. 

BURROWS 

Ha! I always hate to see a doctor in my house. 

DR. LANFEAR 

You're glad enough to send for one when sickness 
comes into it. 

BURROWS 

I'm better pleased when he's gone out of it. Can't 
understand why ye should have taken it up. There are 
plenty of nice clean businesses for a smart young man. 
A doctor! Always handling a lot of dirty creatures. 
Ugh! [Shivers in disgust.'\ 

DR. LANFEAR 

There's nothing dirty to a doctor in a suffering man 
or woman. He looks at the human being — not at the 
externals. 

-C 28 > 



ACT I 

BURROWS 

Ye mean ye get so used to it that yer sight and smell 
get hardened, eh? 

DR. lANFEAR 

On the contrary our senses become so acute that noth- 
ing is disgusting. The unclean are the first to be af- 
fected by uncleanliness both of mind and body. 

BURROWS 

[Rising furiously.] Do you mean that / am — ? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Not necessarily. I don't know you well enough. But 
I resent your attitude toward my profession. 

BURROWS 
[Sitting back again in the chair and glaring at the 
doctor.] Is that so? 

DR. LANFEAR 

You talk as so many of your kind do from absolute 
ignorance. 

BURROWS 

Indeed! I'm ignorant, am I? That's a good begin- 
ning anyway. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Have you ever given a tliought to the outcasts of a 
city as big as New York? The Wreckage of Life? 
Have you? 

-C 29 > 



WRECKAGE 



BURROWS 



No, I've not. I've got something better to do — out- 
casts indeed. I'd look fine wasting me time on them. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Go down into the depths and look at them. See 
people waking to the Dawn of Nothing. Listen to the 
cry of the fallen — men and women bruised and maimed 
in this devil's-smithy. Go and look at them. It will 
help you. If you have a heart you will help them. If 
you have any feeling left in you, you won't think of their 
dirt. Neither do the thousands of striving, silent, un-, 
complaining doctors who are protecting the people of to- 
morrow by bringing health and hope and faith to the 
people to-day. Do you know that it is to the doctor 
more than to the law-maker that we may hope for the 
future generations being freed from crime? 

BURROWS 

No, I don't. Nor anybody else. You've got a fine 
conceit, you have. Doctors indeed. Pick yer pocket 
some of 'em. They've made holes in mine often enough. 
How can doctors cure crime? Tell me that. 

DR. LANFEAR 

All vice is a form of disease. So is all crime. And it 
must be treated as a disease to make a cure, 

< SO :>. 



ACT I 

BURROWS 

Haven't we enough prisons to teach criminals to be 
honest in? 

DR. lANFEAB 

We have quite enough prisons. But no prison ever 
taught a man to be honest. They are the hot-houses 
of crime where the criminals of to-morrow are incubated. 
The law makes criminals: doctors cure them. We heal: 
the law inflames. 

BURROWS 

They're damn nice sentiments for a man who wants to 
come into my family. 

DR. lANFEAR 

What does the law do for the persons who break it? 

BURROWS 

Sends 'em to jail — and the proper place for 'em. 

DR. LANFEAR 

And afterwards? 

BURROWS 
What do ye mean — afterwards? 

DR. jLANFEAR 

When they've served their sentence instead of being 
given a fair start they're hounded from place to place: 
they're robbed of a chance to make an honest living. 
Employers are warned against them — 

< ^^ > 



WRECKAGE 

BURROWS 

[Breahing in.'] And quite right, too. I'd expect to 
be warned if I had a thief working for me. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Exactly. That's what the law-makers and business- 
men do. Now this is what we doctors do. There is a 
small but steadily increasing band of men in New 
York — I am one of them — who ask the wrecks of life 
to come to us the moment they are free. 

BURROWS 

And what do you do with them? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Treat them as sick people; care for them; find them 
work; guarantee them with employers. 

BURROWS 

And ye get nothing for it.^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

We get everything: something beyond money — the 
knowledge that we are helping in a certain way poor 
wretches whom no one else has ever thought of helping 
in that particular way. 

BURROWS 

Do you mean to say ye spend yer time takin' care of 
" crooks " .'' 

-C 32 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAB 

Some of it. 

BURROWS 

Why it's like havin' yer pocket picked an' then askin* 
the pickpocket to come along home an' have dinner with 
ye. Look here, young man. You work for yerself if 
ye want to be my son-in-law. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I am working for myself. I am developing every day 
— at least I try to. The great doctor must be the com- 
plete man, and his greatness can only come after years 
of striving and suffering: of ceaseless work and endless 
charity. 

BURROWS 

[Changing his tone from bluster to conciliation^] 
Now see here, I know there's big money in doctoring — 
ye should see some of the bills I've had to pay for me 
wife — they'd make yer mouth water. Why, for a year 
after my girl was bom she was hardly ever out of her 
bed. An' doctors muckin' about day and night. They 
seem to hunt in couples — if ye'll stand for it. Now and 
again they'd call in a third to keep 'em company. 
They're a lonely lot. And none of 'era agreed. They 
all said something different. That's part of their game. 
Keep it goin' longer. When she could be moved one of 
'em travelled with her — and a nurse. He wanted a 
holiday and made me pay for it. Wow ! How they bled 
me. \_Shakes his head violently at the unpleasant memo- 
-C S3 > 



WRECKAGE 

ries, then puts his hand authoritatively on Dr. Lan- 
fear's shoulder.] But I went to the best. The best, 
d'ye understand? The ones that charged the most. So 
does every one who can afford to. Now what chance 
have you got} There are more doctors in New York 
than you can shake a stick at. What good do you ex- 
pect to do.^ 

DR. lANFEAR 

The unrecognised man of to-day may be the most 
prominent to-morrow. Opportunity makes the doctor 
just as in every other walk in life. 

BURROWS 

Ah! Now you've got it! Make yerself. Start right 
in. Go after somethin' in particular. Specialise in it. 
That's what / did. Thirty-five years ago I was a 
puddler — just a plain ordinary puddler. Was I satis- 
fied.'' No, sir. I made up my mind to get on, and 
I did. How.'' I specialised. What's the result? 
" Burrows-Steel-Girders " are used half round the world. 
In twenty years they'll be round the other half. That's 
the difference between me and the fellows who started 
with me. They'll be puddlers all their lives. Special- 
ise, my boy. 

DR. LANFEAR 
I do. 

BURROWS 

{Eagerly. "l Do ye? In what? 
-C 34 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'm specialising in a habit tiiat is undermining Amer- 
ica from coast to coast. 

BURROWS 

[Full of curiosity.'] A habit, eh? Drink? 

DR. LANFEAR 

No. Beside it drink is almost a virtue. 

BURROWS 

Ye don't say! 

DR. LANFEAR 

While the Government is trying to check it by prose- 
cution I want to exterminate it by medical treatment. 

BURROWS 

Wliat is it? 

DR. LANFExVR 

The drug-habit. 

BURROWS 

The drug-hahii} 

DR. LANFEAB 

Morphine, heroin, cocaine — 

BURROWS 

[^Quichly .1 Cocaine, eh? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Ever heard of it? 

-C 35 > 



WRECKAGE 

BUEROWS 

Heard of it? I've used it. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Have you? 

BURROWS 

At the dentist's. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[^Smiles.'] What they'd give you wouldn't hurt you. 

BURROWS 

'Course it never hurt me. I liked it. [^Rolls his 
tongue round inside his month and smachs his lips.^ 
Fine stuff. [Fills himself a large glass of xohisky and 
pours soda into it from syphon.^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

Do you know that many of the men working in your 
steel structures do their day's work on cocaine? 

BURROWS 

l^Stops in the act of drinking.'] Do they? What for? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Because they've formed the habit and can't work with- 
out it. 

BURROWS 

That so? What does it do to 'em? 
-C 36 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAR 

It gives temporary clearness to the brain and strength 
to the body. Men become slaves to it. Women too. 
The only happy moments they know are when under its 
influence. When the effects wear off" they are the most 
miserable of human creatures. 

BURROWS 

And you say men like that are working for me.^ 

DR. LAXFEAR 

They are to be found in almost every factory and 
workshop in the big cities and in many of the smaller 
ones. 

BURROWS 

[Quickly and shrewdly .'\ Would you know 'em by 
just lookin' at 'em.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

That would depend on how far the habit had gone. 
Why.? 

BURROWS 

Will ye come round an' look my men over to-morrow ? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Would ycu like to know if any of them are taking 
drugs ? 

BURROWS 

Yes, I would. 

-C 37 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAR 

And if I find there are what will you do? 

BURROWS 

Do? Discharge 'em^ of course. 

DR. LANFEAR 

What good would that do them? 

BURROWS 

I don't want to do 'em good. An' I don't want 'em to 
do me harm. I won't have that kind of men workin' for 
me. Suppose anythin' happened to 'em? I'd be re- 
sponsible. Fine thing that 'ud be. 

DR. LANFEAR. 

Why not try to cure them? 

BURROWS 

Cure 'em? Not me. Cure 'em! [Coniemptuously.'] 
Waste me time on a parcel of drug-takers. Ha! I'm 
no philanthropist. 

DR. XANFEAR 

Be one. You've made your money. 

BURROWS 

[Loudly.] And I made it too hard to throw it away 
like that. 

-C 38 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAR 

Could you use it in a better way? 

BURROWS 
I'll use it as I like. It's mine. [Pause.'] So that's 
what you're specialising in? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

BURROWS 

Have you found a cure? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I think so. It depends on the patient. 

BURROWS 

What do you do witli 'em? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Get rid of the poison of the drug first. Then I build 
up the system and strengthen the resistance — in the 
poor. 

BURROWS 
What do you do with the rich? 

DR. LANFEAR. 

With the intelligent I try to bring back their self- 
respect. 

BURROWS 
With physic? 

-C 39 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAR 

At first: afterwards by the power of influence. 

BURROWS 

Have ye made any cures? 

DR. lANFEAR 

To all appearances. 

BURROWS 

Don't ye know whether they're cured or not? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Any one who professes to make a complete cure of a 
confirmed drug-taker is either a fool or a knave. You 
can only destroy the effect of the poison and the craving 
for it. After that give them a little common-sense. If 
you can bring their self-respect back you've gone a long 
way toward a permanent cure. It takes time. 

BURROWS 

And time to a doctor means money, don't it? 

DR. UVNFEAB. 

[Smiles.'] Sometimes. 

BURROWS 

[Cunningly.] If ye get enough of the wealthy ones 
ye could keep 'em comin' to ye for years, couldn't ye ? 
-C 40 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAR 

The poor interest me more. There's often a reason 
for their falling. But for people of wealth and educa- 
tion there's little. In many eases they're just pandering 
to a self-indulgent, depraved appetite; they're a curse to 
themselves and to every one near them. The poor are 
the ones we are trying to help. 

BURROWS 

[Disgustedly. 1 The poor! 



DR. LANFEAR, 



You were once. 



BURROWS 
I know I was. And if I'd gone about tryin' to help 
them instead of meself, where'd I be to-day? [Sud- 
denly. '\ What does the damn thing make 'em look like? 

DR. lANFEAR 

It takes so many forms that I could make your whole 
system revolt j ust to listen to them. For instance — 

BURROWS 

[Stopping him.^ Never mind. I don't want to lis- 
ten. How do they start it? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Seventy-five per cent, of the cases I've seen contracted 
the habit through a physician. 

-C 41 > 



WRECKAGE 

BURROWS 

Is that so? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Do you know the only difference between us and a con- 
firmed drug-taker? 

BURROWS 

No, I don't. I like your nerve. What's the differ- 
ence? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Pain. 

BURROWS 

How? 

DR. I^NFEAR 

What is the first aid to the injured to-day? The hy- 
podermic-syringe. Suppose 3^ou were smashed up in 
your car — you may be at any time — 

BURROWS 

I never let 'em go fast. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Some of the worst accidents have been when one of the 
cars has been standing still or going slowly. 

BURROWS 

You're a damn uncomfortable fellow to talk to. 
Well? Suppose I was smashed up? 
-C 42 > 



ACT I 

DR. I.ANFEAR 

Before setting a broken limb or putting a dislocated 
shoulder back many doctors and surgeons, as a precau- 
tionary measure of relief, give the sufferer an injection 
of morphine. In a little while the pain is gone. Wlien 
the morphine w6ars off the patient cries out for it again. 
Repeat the injections a sufficient number of times and 
the whole system needs the drug. !Many of the worst 
cases I've seen have formed the habit that way and 
through no fault of their own. 

BURROWS 

[^Thoroughly interested.] Ye don't say. What other 
ways do they start it? 

DR. LANFEAR 

One of the most outrageous causes of the spread of 
the habit — you ought to know this as the father of a 
family — is through allowing nurses to use hypodermic- 
syringes on patients. Until it's made a criminal offence 
for any nurse to administer drugs without a doctor being 
present no home is safe where there happens to be seri- 
ous and painful illness. I've been told of cases where 
nurses have given morphine to children to stop them from 
crying so that the nurse might sleep. Of course they are 
rare cases. For the most part nurses are hard-working, 
conscientious, deserving women. Still there's the danger 
right in our homes. [Moving restlessly about.] It's 
horrible! [Stops abruptly: smiles down at Burrows.] 
You've got me on my hobby. Are you interested at all? 
-C 43 > 



WRECKAGE 



BURROWS 



[Almost excited.] Sure. I've often heard of drugs, 
but I thought they were just harmless things doctors and 
dentists used to help ye. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Very few people know what a scourge this evil is 
amongst us. Remarkably few doctors know. If they 
did they'd be very careful who they gave it to and they'd 
never let the patient know what it was, and v/ould dis- 
guise in every possible way the administration of it, so 
that he couldn't ask for it afterwards. The drug habit 
has spread all over the country amongst rich and poor, 
young and old. In one small section of New York City 
a little while ago it was estimated there were a thousand 
youths of from 14 to 19 years old taking heroin. 

BURROWS 

What's that? You've got me goin' now. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Heroin is a derivative of morphine, is three times as 
strong as morphine, and is one of the most destructive 
of all drugs. It has only been on the market some fif- 
teen years, and was at one time pronounced harmless by 
many doctors and surgeons. Up to a little while ago it 
could be obtained freely at all drug stores. In most of 
the States outside New York you can still get it without 
difficulty. Many of the brutal outrages that have 
-C 4.4. > 



ACT I 

disfigured this city's life recently have been committed 
by men crazed with heroin. Under its influence they 
are just brutes. They know neither fear nor pity. 
What we are trying to do is to arouse the whole na- 
tion to the drug peril. It is not enough to prosecute 
those who use and sell drugs. Measures should be taken 
all through the United States to cure the people who 
have fallen into the habit. If there was ever an evil 
that needed the co-operation of the rich people of a coun- 
try to free the poor, that evil is amongst us now. Hospi- 
tals should be endowed in every city with a staff of doc- 
tors specially trained to cope with it. Let us cure the 
addicts of this generation and the next will come into the 
world free of the curse. Why, children are born to-day 
of alcoholic and drug-taking parents with the nervous 
constitutions of middle-aged men and women. How can 
they be expected to grow up healthy and moral? Better 
war or pestilence or the ravages of disease in a commun- 
ity than this insidious horrible poison that creeps into 
homes through the indiscreet physician: into schools and 
workshops and factories and even into prisons through 
wretches vile enough to profit by selling drugs to their 
fellow creatures. I am told that in the South whole 
gangs of men are given cocaine by their taskmasters so 
that they have the strength to do double work for their 
wretched pay. And the toll of the infamous traffic is 
paid by overflowing prisons, crowded lunatic asylums 
and a waiting list at the hospitals. It is now a question 
of awakening the public conscience. What the people 
-C 45 > 



WRECKAGE 

of a country demand they ultimately get. Once let it 
be known broadcast that this canker is eating into the 
heart of the nation and those who have the pride and 
love of their country dear to them will bend all their 
energies to exterminating it. And the people who will 
free the nation of it will deserve monuments from the 
generations to come. 

BURROWS 
l^Stares at him in undisguised admiration.^ Say, 
you've got it down pretty fine. Got me all worked up. 
I wouldn't mind doin' somethin' meself — in a small way. 
Not much, mind ye. I've no sympathy with the damn 
fools. Women — yes. They're poor things anyway. 
But I can't understand a strong, healthy man ever start- 
ing it. Damn fool I call liim. [Pours out another 
whisky and soda.^ 

DR. LANFEAB 

Have you ever drunk too much.'* 

BURROWS 

[Puts the glass down quickly.'] Of course I havCj 
why shouldn't I.^ I can afford it. 

DR. I/ANFEAR 

Had nausea and a frontal headache in the morning? 

BURROWS 

Yes, I have. What of it.> 

-C 46 :}. 



ACT I 



DR. LANFEAR 



Have you ever used morphine to get rid of it, when 
you've had a long day's work before you? 

BURROWS 

[Indignantly.'} No, I have not. Morphine indeed. 
Ask me a question like that. I'm not a woman. No, 
Sir. I've bought some stuff at a drug store. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Smiles.'] Ah ! Well, what they gave you probably 
contained a solution of morphine or cocaine. 

BURROWS 

What? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Many headache-cures contain one or the other. In 
many cases the drug habit is formed by taking morphine 
to offset the consequences of drinking too much over- 
night. Take morphine often enough Ln that way — just 
as I told you a man in pain will — and you become de- 
pendent on it. Then you stop drinking and take mor- 
phine entirely. When you've had an overdose of mor- 
phine at night you need something to clear your head in 
the morning — just as you did when you drank too much. 
Then you turn to cocaine. Once get that habit and, as a 
famous authority said recently, it is " cross lots to the 
mad-house " for you. 

-C 47 > 



WRECKAGE 



BUKROWS 



[Uneasily.] Don't keep sayin' "You! You! You!" 
I've never taken it. 

DK. LANFEAR 

[Smiles.'] Thousands of cases have formed the habit 
through the frequent use of headache powders and pat- 
ent medicines containing drugs. Nearly every one of 
our acquaintance has some favourite medicine, or powder 
that relieves pain — mind you they only relieve pain, 
they don't cure the cause of it. I dare to say that there 
is scarcely a home in the United States that hasn't some 
harmful drug wrapped up in an innocent looking packet 
or lying in an attractively labelled bottle " To be shaken 
before taken," 

BURROWS 

What about the "Pure Food and Drugs Act"? 
Hasn't that stopped 'em.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

On the contrary, it's made it easier for the drug-taker. 
By printing the ingredients on a bottle or packet every 
one knows which of them contains their pet drug. 

BURROWS 

That's true enough. Well? What are ye goin' to do 
about it? 

-C 48 > 



ACT I 



DR. LANFEAR 



The only possible remedy is to have a central clearing- 
house in Washington where every ounce of every drug 
imported into the United States is accounted for by every 
doctor and drug-store proprietor. Let us know exactly 
where the stuff is going and we can check it. Get the 
traffic in drugs entirely in hand and let the addicts have 
medical treatment until they're cured and we'd get the 
scourge witliin bounds very quickly. No drug-store 
should be allowed to sell the smallest quantity of any 
habit-forming drug without a prescription. It is not so 
much the amount a person takes as the regularity with 
which they take it that forms the habit. [Excitedly.] 
I tell you it is sapping the vigour and brain of the coun- 
try. I heard of one of our greatest lawyers fighting a 
long case on cocaine and winning it. He admitted aft- 
erwards he would have been helpless without the drug. 
Surgeons have been known to perform major operations 
stimulated by it. One of the greatest statesmen in the 
world made his most wonderful achievement when under 
its influence. 

BURROWS 

If it'll do all that, what in hell is the matter with it.'' 

DR. LAN FEAR 

In time it destroys the keenness of the brain ; it drains 
the vitality of the body. It destroys character and dulls 
conscience. Faith, and hope and love die in the heart 
< 49 > 



WRECKAGE 

of the man who comes under its destructive power. It 
makes liars and rogues and outcasts out of once decent 
people. There is nothing they won't do to get their 
particular drug. There is no trick they won't practise 
to get it. They keep me on the alert all the time even 
after they come to the hospital to be treated. 

BURROWS 

How do ye mean? Don't they ivant to be? 

DR. LANFEAR 

They thinh they do but in case they change their mind 
after they've started the treatment they usually bring a 
good supply of their favourite drug with them and hide 
it. 

BURROWS 

Hide it? Wliere? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Under the carpet; on the top of cornice poles: any- 
where they think it won't be seen. Some of them bring 
in handkerchiefs soaked in morphine; shirts and collars 
stiff with it. 

BURROWS 

Say! they keep ye guessin'. What do ye do? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I have a method with them. I usually let patients 
stay in a room a certain time, then send to them to go to 
-C 50 > 



ACT I 

the bath-room. When they come out of the bath I put 
them in a different room. When they find they can't get 
back to the room they were first put in the trouble begins. 

BURROWS 

Ye don't let 'em, eh? 

DR. LAN FEAR 
No. I just leave them in it long enough to hide all 
the drug they have. In addition I take into my charge 
everything they bring with them and examine them 
minutely before letting the patient have anything back. 
I found one with a fountain-pen with just sufficient ink 
in it to allay suspicion and the rest of the barrel hollow 
and filled with morphine pellets. 

BURROWS 

That sort isn't worth worryin' over — unless they pay 
ye well. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Oh, yes, they are, once we imderstand each other. I 
give them the option of obeying me or clearing out. 
That is the evil I am trying to free this country from. 
[Walks up and doxvn.1 

BURROWS 

Phew ! [Loosens his collar; goes to window at back 

R and pushes it wide open, jerking the blind up to the 

fop.] Let us have some fresh air. I feel as if I'd been 

in a hospital. Damn sorry I came in here. [Moves 

-C 51 > 



WRECKAGE 

down.'l I'll examine all my men to-morrow and worry 
my head off which of 'em takes drugs. 

DE. LANFEAR 

[Raises decanter of whisky. 1 Another? 

BURROWS 

No, I won't. [Shivers.] First thing I know I'll 
want morphine. Ye've made me feel as if I'd been takin' 
it all my life without knowin' it. [Dr. Lanfear 
laughs.] All right. Laugh. Half your stock-in-trade's 
makin' people feel uncomfortable. Wow ! How you 
can talk. I'm off. [Goes to doors L., stops, thinks, 
goes back quite close to Dr. Lanfear and asks him 
quietly and confidentially.] What do ye mean when ye 
get a rich drug-taker — ye try and bring back his self- 
respect? How do ye do that? 

DR. LANFEAR 

When the craving for the drug has been eliminated 
and the gnawing pains of the deprivation of the drug 
have gone, I try to find out exactly what the patient's 
mental attitude was before the habit was formed. Hav- 
ing found that out the next step is to make the brain 
think back to what it was at that time: to compel the 
brain to do what it used to do before it came under the 
influence of the drug. Few have any real liking for the 
drug in itself. But the brain retains the remembrance 
of the sensations of relief, of stimulation, of increased 

< 52 y 



ACT I 

muscular and cerebral activity and, at other times of 
complete, delightful rest. When these effects pass away 
and the craving returns memory demands the thing that 
gave such instant and marvellous relief. It longs for the 
sight of a hypodermic-syringe, it craves for the shock of 
the quick stab of the needle, the inrush of the fluid and 
the practically immediate eff'ect of the drug. I tell you 
the gun never did as much harm in a community as a 
hypodermic-syringe ! Syringes have done incalculable 
mischief in causing and fostering the drug-habit. Yet 
until a little while ago they could be bought as easily as 
chewing-gum or candy. Now you have either to destroy 
that remembrance or create a feeling of revulsion at it 
if you are going permanently to cure the habit. No 
self-respecting man or woman wants to be a drug-fiend. 
Very well, give them back their self-respect and the 
craving is gone. 

BURROWS 

[Now very interested.} Go on. Tell me. How.'' 
How do ye do it? 

DR. LAN FEAR 

Here's an instance. One night a man begged of me in 
the street. Something in his voice arrested my atten- 
tion: his manner aroused my suspicions. I gave him 
some money. He hardly waited to thank me and hur- 
ried away. I followed him. He went straight to a 
pedlar of cocaine on a street-corner — a few years ago 
it was sold openly in the streets — and bought a packet 
-C 53 > 



WRECKAGE 

with the money I had given liim. I took it away from 
him, questioned him, finally I brought him here. I 
worked on that man for several days. I drove the poison 
out of him. I nourished his body. Gradually the in- 
flamed state of his brain gave place to a saner and more 
normal condition. He began to speak intelligently in- 
stead of with the servility and coarseness of a profes- 
sional beggar. I encouraged him to talk freely. He 
had a command of language that showed the scholar. 
One day we touched on science. He became excited and 
argued and expounded eagerly. He became quite tense 
and wrought up. He had absolute, definite knowledge. 
One phrase he used struck me. I'd heard it as a boy 
in a lecture given by one of the most prominent scien- 
tists in the country. I picked a book off that shelf and 
turned to a certain chapter on the subject we had been 
discussing. There was the identical phrase word for 
word. I handed him the book. " Look, Professor 

," and I called him by name. He took the book, 

glanced at it, and burst out crying. The real cure had 
begim. His self-respect had wakened. His mind had 
swept back to the clean, healthy days before he had 
fouled his system with the filthy poison. The rest was 
easy. 

BURROWS 

[Excitedly.'] Ye cured liim? 

DR. LANFEAR 

He cured himself in that moment of shame. 
-C 54 > 



ACT I 

BURROWS 

Is he workin' again? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes, and with all his old power. 

BURROWS 

[Under his breath.^ I'm damned. [Loudly and en- 
thusiastically.] I shouldn't wonder if ye make a fortune 
out of it. You've got a head on yer shoulders. 
Wouldn't think it to look at ye. Go after it. I'll go in 
with ye. It looks good to me. Get that fellow to give 
you a testimonial. What was liis name? 

[Dr. Lanfear smiles and shakes his head.] 
Is the book here? [Turning to the bookshelves.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Still smiling.] Very likely. 
BURROWS 

[Peering at the books.] Ye don't say. I'd like to 

know which! 

[The door R. opens and Dr. Cobb, a fair, enthusiastic 
young man of 25 enters. He comes in breezily and 
loudly singing the latest successful song from a New 
York revue. He stops abruptly when he sees Bur- 
rows and speaks to Dr. Lanfear.] 

DR. COBB 

Sorry. Didn't think you'd have a patient at this time. 
-C 55 > 



WRECKAGE 

BURROWS 
l^Indignantly .^ I'm no patient. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Laughs and introduces them.] Dr. Cobb — Mr. Bur- 
rows. 

BURROWS 

[Nods curtly at Dr. Cobb, turns to Dr. Lanfear.] 
Another doctor. Do you always hunt in couples? 

DR. LANFEAR 

We're partners. 

[Burrows turns abruptly hack to the book-shelves.'] 

DR. COBB 

[Hands Dr. Lanfear an open letter.] Can you see 
this chap for me.'' I've got a meeting in there. 
[The sound of the harp and piano rises faintly in the dis- 
tance playing a modern dance tune.] 
[Dr. Cobb's eyes brighten and he hums the tune.] 
Hello! Dancing in there? 

DR. LANFEAR 

No. Just a little music. [Reading the letter.] 

DR. COBB 

Oh, never mind then. Let him come round in the 
morning, or wait until the meeting's over. It's only a 
charity case. Bristal, the broker's sent him. 
-C 56 > 



ACT I 

[Reading the letter over Dr. Lanfear's shoulder and 
pointing to the signature.] 
See? 

DR. LANFEAR 

What is the matter with him? 

DR. COBB 

Everything by the look of him. Let him wait. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'll see him. 

DR. COBB 

Sure you don't mind? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Not a bit. 

DR.. COBB 

[Starts for the door R.] Thank ye. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Following him.] What's the meeting? 

DR. COBB 

Discussing the Drug-Stores-Proprietors' Amendment 
to the new drug act. Wliat they don't know in there 
about drugs would fill the public library. Might be 
chewing candy. They all asked for you. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Waste of time talking to them. 
-C 57 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. COBB 

That's why you shove 'em on to me, I suppose? 

DR.. LANFEAR 

[Laughs.] Send the man in. 
[Dr. Cobb goes out 22.] 

BURROWS 

[Looks up from one of the loxcer shelves, taking out a 
book and reading the title.] "Science and Health!" 
Is this it.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

No. That is one of the most wonderful books ever 
written — and it is the work of a woman. 
[Burrows grunts and puts the book back.] 
Now I must turn you out. 

BURROWS 

Ye can't turn me out. I'm goin'. 

[Goes to doors L.] 

You take hold of yerself, cut out the poor business, go 
after the rich. If you'd listen to me, in six months I'd 
make a man of ye. 

DR. IjANFEAR 

[Smiling.] My mother anticipated you. 

BURROWS 
[Laughs a little, dry, cracked laugh.] Ha! 
-C 58 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Going to him.'] Thank you so much for your kindly 
congratulations on my engagement to your daughter. 

BURROWS 

What's that.'' I congratulate ye."* 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'm sure you do. 

BURROWS 

I've not said you can have her yet. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Smiles good-naturedly at Burrows.] But you're 
going to. 

[Opens door L. The music is heard distinctly.^ 

BURROWS 

I'll say this for ye. Ye've got plenty of nerve. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I need it in my profession. 

BURROWS 

[LooJiS at him a minute, then laughs heartily.'] You're 
a fine young fellow, I must say. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Laughs heartily rvith him.] Tell my mother I have 
a patient to see. I'll be in the moment he goes. 
-C 59 > 



WRECKAGE 



BURROWS 



Ye know I wouldn't mind ye so much if ye weren't 

such a danui fool. 
[Goes out L.] 

[Dr. Lanfear closes the doors L., draws the curtains. 
The sounds become quite faint, after a while they 
stop.] 

[Dr. Lanfear thinhs a moment, then goes to an entirely 
different book-shelf than the one Burrows was exam- 
ining, looks through the shelves, finds the book he is 
looking for, opens it and reads, his brows k7nt.] 
[Dr. Cobb enters R.] 

DR. COBB 

Here he is. [Turns and calls.'] Come along in. 
[Turns to Dr. Lanfear.] I'll look in when they've 
gone, may I } 

dr. lanfear 
Do! 

dr. COBB 

How they talk — and what talk ! 

[The Patient comes slowly in through the door R.] 

[Dr. Cobb goes out R., closing the door after him.] 

[Dr. Lanfear stands by the book-case reading inter- 
estedly.] 

[The Patient stands quite still near the door waiting 
for Dr. Lanfear to notice him. He is a stooped, 
wretched, dirty-looking man well over fifty. His hair 
-C 60 > 



ACT I 

is a greyish-white, long, matted and unbrushed. It 
comes down almost to his eyes, completely hiding his 
forehead. There are several days' growth of hair on 
his face. His left arm hangs limply by his side. In 
his right hand he clutches a dirty, torn, crumpled cloth 
cap. His clothes are ragged and shiny, his boots 
broken and down at heel. He continually bends for- 
ward jerkily and then tries to straighten himself with 
nervous convulsive ttvitchings. He occasionally rubs 
the back of his hand across his nose several times in 
rapid succession as if it itched him. His eyes are con- 
siderably projected, shotving an unnaturally bright, 
distended pupil, the white of the eye very prominent. 
His facial muscles twitch continually. His eyes blink 
constantly as though the light tvere too strong for 
them. His skin is a moist, yellowish-green. He 
starts when spoken to and avoids the questioner's 
eyes.'\ 

DR. LANFEAR 

[^Closes the hook, puts it back on the shelf and turns 
to The Patient, glances at the letter Dr. Cobb gave 
him.li Mr. Bristal sent you? 

THE PATIENT 

^Starts, hesitates, looks dozen, answers huskily in a 
common, coarse voice.} Yes, sir. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Do you work for him ? 

-C 61 > 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIENT 

Yes, sir. 

DR. LANFEAR 

What kind of work? 

[The Patient hesitates, tries to speak, stops.'] 

[Sharply.] Well? 

THE PATIENT 

[Starts, tries to straighten hiviself, then goes back to 
his crouching, twitching position.] Anything he gives 
me — about the house — an' grounds. 

DR. LANFEAR 

What's your trouble? 

THE PATIENT 

[In the dull tone of a man long suffering from pain.] 
My arm, sir. [Touches his left arm.] I can't use it. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Why not? 

THE PATIENT 

It hurts me so. 

DE. LANFEAR 

What's the matter with it? 

THE PATIENT 

[Hesitates. Looks at the ground.] I — I — I cut 
it. 

-C 62 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAU 

With what? 

THE PATIENT 

[Hesitates again.l I fell. Something sharp. It cut 
my arm. It cut it. 

DK. LANFEAR 

Let me look at it. Take off your coat. 

[Goes to table and turns on the poicerful moveable elec- 
tric light.] 

[The Patient, trembling violently, goes to him, drops 
his cap on the floor, begins to take off his coat: di- 
rectly the sleeve presses on his left arm he moans and 
clutches it, sxcaying bachicards and forwards in pain."] 
Wait a minute ! 

[Goes to him and holds the sleeve open and loose, so 
that The Patient can free his arm without contact: 
Dr. Lanfear slips the coat off.] 

[The Patient is then seen to have no waistcoat, just a 
ragged, grey shirt with collar attached. His trousers 
are held up by an old belt. His right hand feebly sup- 
ports the wounded arm whilst he continues to convul- 
sively bend forward and then try to straighten him- 
self.] 

[Dr. Lanfear takes up the left arm and dexterously 
slips the shirt up the arm and doubles it in at the 
shoulder, disclosing the forearm considerably inflamed 
in the centre and front. A large ugly-looking abscess 
has formed.] 

-c 63 :}. 



WRECKAGE 

[Dr. Lanfear wheels the upright chair into position 
facing him, motions the man to sit in it. He then sits 
in the revolving chair, moves the light into position, 
takes up the wounded arm, and examJnes it closely 
under the strong light through a magnifying glass.^ 
[In a matter-of-fact tone.] How long has this 

troubled you? 

THE PATIENT 

For weeks. Night and day. Weeks. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Places the magnifying glass close down on the in- 
jured arm and bends the light on to i^.] What did you 
fall on.? 
[His questions are mechanical: they convey no apparent 

intention or suspicion.] 

THE PATIENT 

[Nervously.] Something — something sharp. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Something sharp, eh? [In the same even tone.] 
Was it a needle? 

THE PATIENT 

[Vehemently.] No. It wasn't ! 
[Tries to drag his arm away from the doctor's close 
scrutiny.] 

< 64 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Holding The Patient's arm firmly.] Steady. 
[Continues to examine it.] Are you sure it wasn't a 
a needle? 

THE PATIENT 

[Doggedly.] Yes. I am. It wasn't a needle. No. 

DR. LANFEAE 

Wliat was it then? 

THE PATIENT 

Something sharp, I tell ye. Don't know what it was. 
Mebbe a bit of stone — or a nail. That's what it was — 
a nail. 

DR. I^NFEAR 

What are all those marks ? 

THE PATIENT 

I don't know. [Moans.] You're hurting me. Let 

me go. 

[Dr. Lanfear suddenly drops the man's arm and moves 
the lamp up so that light shines full on The Pa- 
tient's face, which is drawn with pain and is 
ghastly in the cold white light.] 

[He instantly blinks in the strong light, lowers his eyes, 
turns slightly away, twitching furiously and breathing 
thickly.] 

[The doctor speaks to him sharply.] 
-C 65 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAR 

Look at me ! 

[The Patient turns frightenedly still further away as if 
afraid to meet the other's eyes.^ 
[Dr. Lanfear rises and says commandingly .'\ 
Look at me ! 

\^He lifts The Patient's chin and holds the he'ad well 
up in the light, searching the features with a quick, 
penetrating, comprehensive glance. Then he releases 
The Patient and sinks back in the chair, looking at 
the man intently. '\ 

[The Patient rises, shivering with fear.'\ 
Sit down. 

[The Patient turns away to tlie Chesterfield 72.] 
There. [^Points to the chair under the light.^ 
[The Patient sits chattering and tzaitching.^ 
How long have you been taking cocaine? 
[The Patient cowers down in the chair.'\ 
How long.'' 

[Waits: the man does not a7iswer.'\ 
If I'm going to help you, you must tell me the truth. 

How long? 

THE patient 
[Doggedly. 1 I don't take it. 

DR. lanfear 

Yes, you do. 

-C 66 > 



ACT I 

[^Suddenly springs up, takes The Patient's right hand, 
turns up the sleeve and examines the arm.'\ 
You work with your left avva, don't you? 

THE PATIENT 

Yes. 

DR. LANFEAR 

And since you cut it you have been injecting cocaine 
in this? 
[The Patient does not answer. He is like a trapped 

thief, caught in the act.] 

[Dr. Lanfear sits again.] 

You've infected your arm with a dirty needle. 

THE PATIENT 

[Sullenly.] It wasn't a needle, I tell ye. [After a 
moment he asks piteously.] Is it poisoned? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

THE PATIENT 

[Anxiously.] Will I lose it? 

DR. LANFEAR 

You might very easily, if you let it go on like that. 
[The Patient moans.] 

We must get to work on it at once. We'll send you 
down to a hospital to-night — 

-C 67 > 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIENT 

[Springing up and chattering with fear."] I won't go 
to a hospital. I won't go. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Why not? 

THE PATIENT 

I won't go to a hospital. I won't. I won't! 
l^Goes away R., muttering to himself.^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

You'll be well taken care of. 

THE PATIENT 

[Savagely.'] I won't go, I tell ye. I won't. 
[Fiercely.] A hospital. Not me. Oh, no. Hospital 
indeed. I won't. Not me ! [He goes on muttering in- 
audibly, all the while his right hand clutching above and 
below the infected part of his poisoned left arm.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Shrewdly.] You couldn't get any cocaine there, 
could you.'' 

THE PATIENT 

I tell ye I don't take it. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Then why won't you go? 

THE PATIENT 

I won't. That's all. I zvon't. Not me. 
-C 68 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAB 

Then I can do nothing for you. That requires imme- 
diate and constant attention. If you don't care to go 
where you'll get it^ consult some other doctor. [Turns 
away from the man and makes some notes on a pad.^ 

THE PATIENT 

[Slowly turns round and looks at the doctor. Then 
he pleads.] Couldn't you give me something to ease it.'' 
Couldn't ye? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Do what I tell you and I'll cure it. 

THE PATIENT 

Not a hospital. Not that. Shut away from every 
one. A charity case. Treated like a dog. Oh, no. 
Not me. Not that. I've had some of that. Lot of 
brutes. Never again. Not me. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Finally.] All right. That'll do. 
[Motions him to go, takes up a pamphlet, turns over the 

pages, all the while watching the man.] 
[The Patient picks up his coat and begins to put it on. 

The moment the sleeve touches the sore arm he stops 

and draws in his breath, but he does not moan.] 

Why won't you tell me the truth.'' 

THE PATIENT 

I am telling ye the truth. 

-C 69 > 



WRECKAGE 

DB. LANFEAB 

You're afraid of losing your arm? 

THE PATIENT 

[Almost crying with fear and pain.'\ I am. That's 
why I asked Mr. Bristal to help me. It burns — all 
day an' all night. I haven't slept. Can't ye give me 
something to stop the pain? Can't ye? [Pleading.] 
Won't ye? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Swings round in his chair.] If I take you under my 
own care here: if I don't send you to a hospital will you 
tell me the truth? 

[Rises and stands over him..] 

Tell me the truth and I'll save your arm. 
[Lifts The Patient's face up with both his hands and 

looks steadily at him.] 

Tell me the truth and I'll save you. 

[Waits: The Patient avoids the doctor's look.] 

WiU you? 

THE PATIENT 

[Hesitates: makes up his mind: speaks under his 
breath.] All right, sir. 
[Dr. Lanfear takes him to the Chesterfield, presses him 

down on to it and sits beside him.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

How long have you been taking cocaine? 
-C 70 > 



ACT I 

THE PATIENT 

About five years, 

DR. LAN FEAR 

How much a day? 

THE PATIENT 

As much as I can find money enough to buy. I don't 
need food when I can get it. I don't need sleep when I 
have enough. And I've strength in me too. Strength 
in me. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Do you always inject it,"* 

THE PATIENT 

When I have to use my arms I do. Don't mind work- 
ing when I have a good " jolt," * 

DR. LANFEAR 

Just cocaine? 

THE PATIENT 

Half morphine, I like that way best. It's fine. 

DR. LANFEAR 

You're a pretty old hand at it, aren't you? 

THE PATIENT 

Yes, sir. 

*"Jolt." An injection with a hypodermic syringe. 
-C 71 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. lANFEAR 

If you'd used straight cocaine, you'd have been in a 
mad-house long ago. 

THE PATIENT 

I know. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Do you take it any other way ? 

THE PATIENT 

[Touching his nose.] Here — sometimes. But not 
much. Heroin's better. Far better. Doesn't cost as 
much and lasts longer on ye. [Enthusiastically .] It's 
great stuff. 

DR. liANFEAR 

How did you begin.'' 

THE PATIENT 

When I was ill. They gave me morphine to kill the 
pain and make me sleep. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Who gave it to you? 

THE PATIENT 

The doctor. When I got well I went on taking it. 
Had to. Couldn't do without it. Rotten, wasn't it.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

What was your illness? 

-C 72 > 



ACT I 

THE PATIENT 

My nerves broke down. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Were you a hard drinker? 

THE PATIENT 

Pretty hard. Whenever I got worried I took it to 
keep me goin'. Got to like it at last. Drank all the 
time when there was nothin' doin'. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Do you drink now.'' 

THE PATIENT 

IVirtuously .'\ Oh, no. Haven't touched a drop for 
twenty years. I've reformed altogether that way. 

DR. LANFEAR 

When did you begin taking morphine? 

THE PATIENT 

About twenty years ago. 

DR. LANFEAR 

You had no use for drink when you could get that? 

THE PATIENT 

No, sir. Cut it out altogether. 
-C 73 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAR 

l^Takes up the man's hands and looks at them.^ 
You're not a labourer? 

THE PATIENT 

No. 

DR. XANFEAR 

[Feels the man's muscles.] Never used your arms 
much ? ) 

' THE PATIENT 

Not j/nuch. Not until lately. Carryin' things. 
Diggin' and the like. 

DR. LANFEAR 

What was your occupation ? 

THE PATIENT 

[Loohs away; then whispers.] I'd rather not say. 

DR. LANFEAR 

A profession? 

[The Patient nods.] 

[Rises, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.] We'll fight 
this out together. Put yourself in my hands and I'll free 
you of this curse. 

THE PATIENT 
[Moa7iing feebly and shivering.] It's too late. I'm 
finished. It's too late. Been at it too long. Couldn't 
do without it now. 

-C 74 > 



ACT I 

DR. LAN FEAR 

Do you want to do without it? 

THE PATIENT 

Indeed I do. I'd give my right arm to be able to 
sleep one night without being full of the muck. But it's 
too late. 

DR. LANFEAR 

No, it's not. You're in pain — I'll ease it. You're 
starving, I'll give you food. You're in the depths : I'll 
bring you up out of them. But if I'm going to cure you, 
you've got to do everything I tell you. Are you willing 
to do that.'' 

THE PATIENT 

[Eyes dilating: trembling violently: cries out hysteric- 
ally.] I am! Indeed I am. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Very well. [Goes to table and makes some notes on 
pad.] First we must look after that arm. You've got 
a nasty abscess there. 

THE PATIENT 

[After a pause.] I can't pay ye anything. Haven't 
got it. I don't suppose Mr. Bristal'll want to pay 
much. I haven't got a cent. Never will have. 

DR. LANFEAB, 

That'll oe all right. 

-C 75 > 



WRECKAGE 



THE PATIENT 



[The fee ting of exaltation passes: he watches Dr. 
Lanfear closely: the expression on his face gradually 
changes to one of cunning: his body begins to twitch 
again: he whines like a beggar.^ Doctor? Ye won't 
take it all from me? Will ye? Not just at first? I 
want to be cured. Really I do. But ye'll let me have 
a little — just at first? [Intensely.] If ye took it all 
from me it would kill me. I tell ye it would kill me. 
[Cries and wails.] It would. It would. If ye didn't 
let me haVe a little. 

' DR. LANFEAR 

You can have all the drug you want just as long as 
you need it. But one day you will say " I don't want it 
any more. I'll never touch the filthy poison again." 
And you never will? Eh? 

THE PATIENT 

[Brightening up.] Oh, no. Never. Never. Only 
just at first — just a little at first. It's horrible not to 
have it when you're used to it. [Shiveiing.] Horrible. 
As though ye were being tortured. Every bone in yer 
body aches. [Cunningly, snivelling and rubbing his 
nose two or three times quickly.] They're aching now. 

DR. LANFEAR 

How long since you have had any? 
< 7G > 



ACT I 

THE PATIENT 

Not since last night. A friend st3.ked me to some. 
Very little too. Hard to get it lately. Very hard. 
They're awful strict now. 

DR. LANFEAB. 

None to-day? \_Puts note-pad on one side and takes 
up prescription pad and writes.^ 

THE PATIENT 

No. 

DR. LANFEAU 

[Sharply.] What? 

THE PATIENT 

Really — no. [Whispers.] Hadn't any money to 
buy it. [Waits a moment as he thinks.] Then my arm 
burnt so that I came here. I've carried Mr. Bristal's 
letter round for days. Couldn't make up my mind to 
bring it. 

DR. LANFEAB, 

Why not? 

THE PATIENT 

I was frightened to. I thought you'd get on to me. 
And I was afraid you'd put me away. They all try to 
do that. Doctors don't understand us. You're the first. 
It isn't our fault. I never knew what a drug was 
until a doctor shoved a needle in me. They start givin' 
it to ye, and when ye've got so far that ye can't do with- 
-C 77 > 



WRECKAGE 

out it, they turn round an' abuse ye. I hate doctors. 
An' hospitals. [Shivers.] Rotten places. I've had 
some of 'em. Tried to cure me by not givin' me any. 
Cure me indeed! When I've come out I've wanted it all 
the more. Hospitals ! I'd rather die than go in one 
again. You won't send me to one, will ye? 

DR. lANFEAE 

No. I'll take care of you here. 

THE PATIENT 

[Grate fully.l Thank ye, sir. [Whining again.] 
And ye'll give me a little — 

DR. LANFEAB 

Yes. [Impatiently.] 

THE PATIENT 

I beg yer pardon. [Chattering and shivering.] 
Ye're not like some doctors I know. Treat ye like dirt. 
Say ye ought to be in jail. The dogs. Half of 'em take 
it themselves too. Nobody asks them questions. Oh, 
no. Got it right at their hand. All they want an' no 
questions asked. Lucky lot. Wish I'd been brought up 
a doctor. They keep hypodermic-syringes in their vest 
pockets. Use 'em as toothpicks, some of 'em. Fine lot 
an' no mistake. I hate 'em. 

[Enter Dr. Cobb R.] 

-C 78 > 



ACT I 

DR. COBB 

[Coming in cheerily.] They've talked themselves out 
— and off. [Goes down to Dr. Lanfear.] What's 
wrong with him.? [Nodding towards The Patient.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

His arm's poisoned. I wish you'd dress it for me 
with that. 

[Hands him prescription.] 

DR. COBB 

[Looking at prescription.] Mortified.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

Pretty nearly. I'll open it up in the morning. 
[Picks up The Patient's cap from the floor and gives 
it to him.] 

Here you are. What is your name? 
[The man turns away and stands miserably twisting the 

cap in his fingers, he does not ansxcer.] 

Well, give me any name. I must put some name to 
you. 

THE PATIENT 

Hart. 

DR. LANFEAR 

All right, Mr. Hart, go in there. [Opens door R. 
Nods towards Dr. Cobb.] He'll take care of you. 

THE PATIENT 

[Anxiously.] I thought you were going to? 
< 79 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAa 

I am. Go in. 

THE PATIENT 

[Goes to door: turns back to the doctor and pleads.] 
You won't forget your promise.'' You'll give me a 
little — 

DR. lANFEAU 

Yes, yes, yes ! Go in. 

THE PATIENT 

Thank ye. Thank ye, sir. 

DR. lANFEAR 

[JSmiling.] Don't call me, sir. Remember we are 
both professional men. 
[The Patient looks at Dr. Lanfear gratefully turns 

and goes out R.] 

[Dr. Lanfear closes the door after The Patient.] 

DR. COBB 

[Whistles.] A " dope " ! * 

DR. LANFEAE 

Yes. 

DR. COBB 

You certainly find 'em all right. Cocaine.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

And morphine, and heroin. 

* " Dope." A drug-fiend. 

-C 80 > 



ACT I 

DB. COBB 

He's no piker. What a face ! 

DR. LANFEAR 

Find out how much he takes usually and give it to him 
— half morphine, half cocaine. Then we'll start the 
treatment. Get him to wash and brush the hair back 
from his eyes. I want to get a good look at him. 

DR. COBB 

Do you hope to cure him? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'll try. 

DR. COBB 

He doesn't look human. 

DR. LANFEAR 

He is though. 

DR. COBB 

Once a " dope " always a " dope." 

DR. LANFEAR 

[^ShaJces his head-l He was like us once. 

DR. COBB 

[Indignantly.] Us? Me? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Smiling.] Well — say like me. He had a profes- 
sion before one of us started him. Go along. Dress his 
arm — come in and tell me when you've finished. 
-C 81 > 



WRECKAGE 

DK. COBB 

He wants more than that dressed. 
[Mrs. Lanfear, a kindly, pathetic-looking woman of 50 
enters from L.] 
[Nods pleasantly to her."] Good evening. 

MRS. LAN FEAR 

Why didn't you come to our party? 

DR. COBB 

Couldn't. Up to my eyes. I'll look in later, if I may. 

MRS. LANFEAH. 

I wish you would. 

DR. COBB 

Thank ye. I will. I've got a nice job in here first. 
[Mahes a grimace and goes out i2.] 

MRS. LAN FEAR 

You've been so long I thought I'd better come after 
you. 

DR. lANFEAR 

I'll go back with you. 

MRS. lANFEAB 

Kate told me. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Smiling.'] Did she? 

-C 82 > 



ACT I 

MRS. LANFEAR 

She came straight to me. She said you were going to 
tell her father. 

DR. LANFEAR 
I did. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I saw him come back laughing, so I thought it must 
be all right. Is it .'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

I think so. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

What did he say.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

Abused my profession : abused me for not having more 
rich patients — in fact seemed thorouglily against me as 
a son-in-law — at first. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Did you win him round? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Pretty nearly. I told him what I was trying to do 
with drug-takers. He seemed to think there might be 
real money in it — if I get the tvealthy ones. He said 
he'd like to cut in on it himself. Taken altogether I have 
hope. 

-C 83 > 



WRECKAGE 

MRS. lANFEAR 

I SO much want you to marry Kate. I've known for 
a long time that you loved her. 

DE. LANFEAR 

Have you? 

MRS. LANFEAK. 

Yes. 

DE. LANFEAR 

Why? I've never told you. 

MES. LANFEAR 

No, but I've watched you — the way you've looked at 
her and spoken to her. There's no hiding that. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Not from you. 

[^Puts his arm around her.^ 

MES. LANFEAR 

She'll make you a nice comfortable little wife. 

DR. LANFEAE 

I am sure of it. \^Laughs.^ Especially — comfort- 
able. 

MES. liANFEAE 

I was rather afraid who you'd pick out. You've made 
a very happy choice. 

-C 84 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAE 

Thank you. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I'm very proud of you. You're going to do splendid 
things. You're only just beginning. That was why I 
worried. Marriage so often kills ambition at the very 
start. Yours won't. And I'm very happy. [Takes his 
face in her hands and kisses him.l Good luck. Now 
we'll go back. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Wait a minute. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

We'll talk when they've gone. They'll miss us. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Listen. [They listen to the music.} They seem to 
be doing very well without us. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Well then. Quickly. What is it? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Mr. Burrows asked me one rather awkward question — 
about my father. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Becomes very grave instantly.} Yes? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I told him that he was dead, that there had been im- 
happiness — 

-C 85 > 



WRECKAGE 

MRS. LANFEAB 

[Quickly.'] Why did you tell him that? 

DR. lANFEAE 

It slipped out. Something he said provoked it. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Well? 

DR. LANFEAR 

You've not told me much, and, as I saw you always 
avoided speaking about my father, I dropped it. But 
you've said enough from time to time to show there was 
something very wrong. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

There was. 

DR. lANFEAR 

He must have treated you very badly. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

He did. 

DR. LANFEAR 

It would be just as well to tell me the whole thing in 
case Burrows asks any more questions. It would be 
better he heard the truth from me than from some one 
else. It would look as if I was holding it back, wouldn't 
it? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Very well. I'll tell 3'ou. 

-C 86 > 



ACT I 

DR. LANFEAB 

When he heard there'd been unhappiness he used it as 
an argument against my marrying Kate. Quoted it as 
another unhappy marriage. 

MRS. JLANFEAR 

And it was. It was. [Looks frightenedly at him.^ 
Your marriage mustn't be. There's nothing more won- 
derful than the companionship of two people who really 
love each other. There's nothing more horrible than 
separation when once you have loved. It's like tearing 
something out of your life by the roots. 

DR. LANFEAE 

My father left you before he died.'* [Pause."] Did 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Nods.] Yet, badly as he treated me, I had no bitter- 
ness in my heart: just sorrow, and pity. I always hoped 
he'd come back to me. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Would you have forgiven him .'' 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I would. Indeed I would. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I couldn't. 

-C 87 > 



WRECKAGE 

MRS. LANFEAB 

Yes, you could — if you loved. And I did love your 
father. 

DR. LANFEAB 

Tell me exactly what happened — 

MRS. lANFEAR 

Not now. 
[^Indicates the people in the next room and then moves 
towards the door L.] 

DR. liANFEAR 

[Joining her.] When they've gone then. W^e'll have 
a really old-time talk. [Pause.'] We're not a bit like 
mother and son. We're pals, aren't we ? 

MRS. lANFEAR 

[Gently.] Yes, dear. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Of course we are. So you must treat me like one. 
You'll tell me to-night — Pal.'' 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Nods.] When they've gone. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Right. 

[Opens the door for her.] 

-C 88 > 



ACT I 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Stopping in the doorzcay.] Are you coming witli me? 

DR. LANFEAR 

In two minutes. I've a new drug-patient in there. 
Cobb's attending to him. I'll just have a look at him 
and go in to you. Say — if I can cure him I'll think 
no end of myself. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Interested.] Can I see him? 

DR. LANFEAR 

To-morrow. [Laughs.] He's not very pretty. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Neither was the professor of science when you first 
brought him here. Yet you let me help you with him 
from the beginning. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Laughingly.] If you thought the old professor bad, 
wait till you see Mr. Hart. He's the limit. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Smiling.] I really must see him. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Look him over in the morning and give me your diag- 
nosis. I've made mine. We'll see if they agree. 

-C 89 > 



WRECKAGE 

l^Passes her out L. closes the door, then crosses over and 
opens the door R.I.E., goes in, leaving the door open. 
The sound of his and Dr. Cobb's voices can be heard.^ 
Ready ? 

DR. COBB 

Yes. I was just going to bring him in. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Finished .f* 

DR. COBB 

Practically. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Come on. 

[Re-enters and goes to table."] 

[Dr. Cobb comes in followed by The Patient.] 

[His face has been washed and the hair brushed bach, 
showing a high, well-developed forehead. His body 
is nearly straight and the convulsive movements prac- 
tically under control. The left arm is in a sling. 
He comes slowly and hesitatingly into the room.] 

[Dr. Cobb wheels the deep comfortable chair a little for- 
ward for the man to sit in.] 
[The Patient sinks into it with a gasp of relief.] 

DR. COBB 

There we are! 

DR. LANFEAR 

Don't sit like that — all tightened up. Relax. 
Stretch your legs out. Lie back. 
-C 90 > 



ACT I 

[The man slowly relaxes and lies hach.'\ 
That's it. Is your arm more comfortable? 

THE PATIENT 

Yes, thank ye. The pain's almost gone. Makes it 
feel good. {^Puts his right hand protectingly on the 
poisoned arm and closes his eyes.^ 
[I'he two doctors stand looking down at him in 

silence.^ 
[Dr. Lanfear turns the light slowly on him and watches 

him intently.l 

DR. COBB 

I think I've made a pretty good job of him. He looks 
much better all cleaned up, doesn't he? 
[Dr. Lanfear beckons Dr. Cobb over to him: speaks to 

him quietly.^ 

DR. lANFEAR 

'Phone over for Miss Grant. She can take him nights. 
Get Miss Fellows in the morning. Have you begun the 
treatment ? 

DR. COBB 

No. I'd just finished washing and brushing him and 
doing up his arm when you burst in. I gave him an 
in j ection. 

DR. LANFEAR 

How much? 

-C 91 > 



WRECKAGE 

DR. COBB 

Six grains half-and-half. He wanted ten. He's a 
" dope " all right. 

DR. liANFEAR 

Tell both nurses to mark the chart " hourly." We'll 
make a complete examination in the morning — I want 
you with me. We'll keep a daily record of weight, pulse, 
temperature and blood-pressure. This time next week 
you'll hardly know him. 

DR. COBB 

I won't want to. I hate the sight of him already. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Smiles.] Ring up Miss Grant at once. Run along. 

DR. COBB 

[Going to door R.U.E.] These " dopes " give me a 
pain. Waste of time, that's what it is. Waste of time. 

[Exit R.] 
[Dr. Lanfear opens a drawer, takes out a vial and 

shakes out a pill: pours some water into a glass, goes 

to Patient and shakes him.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

Here. Take this. 
[The Patient opens his eyes, swallows the pill and 

drinks some water.] 
[Dr. Lanfear takes the glass from him and puts it back 

on the tray.] 

-C 92 > 



ACT I 

[The door L. opens and the sound of voices is heard.l 
[Mrs. Lanfear brings in Mrs. Burrows, a slender, frail, 

delicate woman of middle-age.] 
[Dr. Lanfear goes quickly up to them and stops them 

with a gesture from coming any further into the room.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Mrs. Burrows wants to see your room, dear. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Not now. [Points to Patient.] 

MRS. BURROWS 

Oh! I'm so sorry. [Draws back.} 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[In a whisper.] Is that tlie new drug-patient? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

May I look at him.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

Wait till the morning. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Looking at the man's profile.] I'll just have a 
glimpse of him. [To Mrs. Burrows.] I always like to 
-C 93 > 



WRECKAGE 

see them when they first come here. It's so wonderful 

to see what he does with them. 

[Motions to Mrs. Burrows to wait for her.} 

[Mrs. Lanfear creeps down softly and looks at The 
Patient, who has taken up the hand-mirror from the 
table, and is looking at his reflection in disgust.] 

MRS. BURROWS 

[To Dr. Lanfear.] I am so glad about you and 
Kate. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Smiling genially.] That's nice of you. I was afraid 
you mightn't approve of me. 

MRS. BURROWS 

Why not? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Your husband doesn't seem to. 

MRS. BURROWS 

[Smiling wanly.] We'll change that. 
[While they have been talking Mrs. Lanfear has come 
in line with The Patient: at the same moment he sees 
her reflection in the hand-mirror : he turns quickly and 
looks up at her. Their eyes meet — a gleam of recog- 
nition shines in both. He half rises from the chair, 
then sinks back, staring at her. Mrs. Lanfear looks 
down at him in horror.] 

-c 94 :^ 



ACT I 

DR. lANFEAR 

[Turns to his mother.] Come^ take Mrs. Burrows 
back. 
[Mrs. Lanfear stands white and still. She sways as if 

about to faint.] 

[Dr. Lanfear hurries down to her.] 

What is the matter? 

[Takes her arm and leads her up to Mrs. Burrows.] 
I shouldn't have let you see him. [To Mrs. Burrows.] 
Please take her in. 

[Passes them both out and closes the door.] 
[He goes down to the table, takes up writing-pad, dips 

a pen in the ink-xvell and prepares to make notes.] 
[The Patient is huddled in the chair motionless, star- 
ing straight before him.] 
While we are waiting for the nurse, I want you to give 
me a few more particulars about yourself, and to verify 
the notes I've got here. I want the truth. Now, first 
of all — 

curtain 



END OF ACT I 



•C 95 > 



Crisis 



ACT II 

The same scene, a little later. 

The Patient is stretched full length on the Chesterfield, 
perfectly limp. Dr. Cobb and Dr. Lanfear are 
standing behind and at the side of the sofa watching 
him. After a few moments The Patient takes a deep 
breath, then mutters to himself. 

DR. COBB 

He's coming back. 
[Dr. Lanfear nods.'\ 

DR. COBB 

Half-starved. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Nods again, closely watching The Patient.] 
[The Patient opens his eyes and looks at the two men 
— then glances fearfully round the room.'\ 

DR. COBB 

Hello, where have you been ? 

THE PATIENT 

I dunno. Slipped off, didn't I ? 

DR. COBB 

You certainly took the count. Dead to the world. 
You need a good steak in you. 

-C 99 > 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIENT 

No, I don't. [Looks around the room, afraid.'} Hate 
meat. Any one else in the room .'' 

DR. COBB 

No, why? 

THE PATIENT 

Did I see a woman in here.'' Or was I dreaming? 

DR. COBB 

You must have been. [Looks at Dr. Lanfear.] 

THE PATIENT 

[Shivers.} Rotten dream. Got me here. [Touches 
his heart.} 

DR. LANFEAR 

There were two women in the room five minutes ago. 

THE PATIENT 

[Quickly.} Were there? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

THE PATIENT 

Did one of them come down here and look at me? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 



ACT II 

THE PATIENT 

I was starin' at meself in a glass and I saw her face. 
I turned round an' she was standin' there lookin' down 
at me. That right? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

THE PATIENT 

Thought I must have dreamt it. Tall? 
[Dr. Lanfear nods.] 

THE PATIENT 

Grey hair? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

THE PATIENT 

[Thinks a moment, his eyes distended. Then asks in 
a whisper.] Who is she? 

DR. lANFEAR 

My mother. 

THE PATIENT 

[Looks up at him.] Your mother? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

THE PATIENT 

That's funny. 

-ClOl:^ 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAB 

Why? 

THE PATIENT 

She looked like some one I knew a long time ago. 

DR. I^NFEAR 
Oh? 

THE PATIENT 

She was younger then. Brown hair and — and — 
laughing eyes. A child she was — just a child. 
[Mutters to himself. Nothing audible comes from his 
lips. He seems to have forgotten the two men. Pres- 
ently he lies back and closes his eyes.'\ 
[Dr. Lanfear turns the electric lamp off so that the 
light does not fall on The Patient. He then beckons 
to Dr. Cobb and instructs him.'] 

DR. LANFEAR 

Put him in the end room. Get Mason to see to it and 
give him some supper. Let me know when the nurse 
comes. [Nods toward door L.] I must go in and say 
good-bye to them. 

DR. COBB 

[Points to The Patient.] You've got a beauty this 
time, a real beauty. 

[Dr. Lanfear motions to Cobb to go.] 



ACT II 

DR. COBB 

It's waste of time, medicine and good food — and you 
know it. 

DE. LANFEAR 

Some day you'll believe in me. 

DR. COBB 

I believe in you all right. But, for goodness' sake why 
don't you get some live ones who'll do you credit when 
you've straightened them out. What's he going to be 
like if you cure him? Why don't you let him alone? 
He's happy enough when he gets what he wants — a good 
jolt of " dope." He was cheery as a bird in there when 
I gave him one just now. You want to take away from 
him the only thing the poor wretch gets any fun out of. 
What are you going to give him in its place ? 

DR. LANFEAR 

What he had before he started taking drugs — his 
self-respect. 

DR. COBB 

Self-respect! Him? [Laughs.] You're a wonder. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Laughs good-naturedly with him, slaps him on the 
back and pushes him toward the door R.U.E.] Wake 
Mason up if he's turned in. 



WRECKAGE 

All • t-1. DR. COBB 

All right. 

[Goes out R.U.E.] 

[Dr. Lanfear thinks; walks over and loohs at The Pa- 
tient. The man's eyes are closed and he is breath- 
ing easily. Dr. Lanfear goes out noiselessly L.] 

\^As soon as the door closes The Patient opens his eyes, 
straightens up, gets his feet on to the floor and listens 
intently. He satisfies himself that he is alone. He 
rises, looks about as though searching for something ; 
sees the mirror on the table, picks it up, sits in the same 
chair he was in when Mrs. Lanfear came down to him, 
looks in the mirror, turns round and looks up just as 
he did when he saw Mrs. Lanfear. Thinks, then, ap- 
parently, makes up his mind. He puts the mirror 
hack on the table, then looks about on the floor for 
something. Thinks again, looks towards door R.l.E. 
Hurries across and goes into the room R. Reappears 
with his cap in his hand, closes the door R. very softly. 
Moves up to back, looks undecidedly from the doors L. 
to the door R.U.E. Remembers the way he came in 
and steals softly over to the door R.U.E. ^ 

[Mrs. Lanfear comes in quickly through the doors 
L.U.E. and closes them. The Patient turns at the 
sound. They stand looking at each other a few mo- 
ments in silence.^ 

THE PATIENT 

[^Comes a little forward, looking at Mrs. Lanfear in 
horror — then he mutters hoarsely. '\ You! It is you. 
-C104> 



ACT II 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Faintly.'] You've come back to me. You've come 
back to me at last! I knew you would. I knew you 
would, 

THE PATIENT 

Whose house is this? 

MRS. LANFEAE 

Mine. 

THE PATIENT 

Yours? I came to see a doctor. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

My son.'' 

THE PATIENT 

Your son? Here? Your son? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Our son. 

THE PATIENT 

[Stares at her; then fully realises as he recalls ques- 
tioning the doctor. He whispers.] Our son. He! 
[Covers his eyes and moans.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Didn't you know I was here ? 

THE PATIENT 

No. I never thought I'd see you again. I hoped 
you'd never see me — like this. 



W H E C K A G E 

MRS. LANFEAU 

Then why did you come here? What did you want 
with him? 

THE PATIENT 

To doctor this — for charity. [Touches his arm.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Charity? 

THE PATIENT 

I came with a letter to him to help me — for charity. 
I'd nothing to pay him with. I didn't know who he was. 

MRS. LANFEAU 

But when you heard the name — ? 

THE PATIENT 

The letter was to Dr. Cobb. He brought me in here. 
I heard no name. 

MRS. LAJSTFEAB 

Didn't he ask for yours? 

THE PATIENT 

Yes; but I wouldn't give it. I haven't used it for 
years. I wouldn't let any one know who I was. Oh, no, 
not me! I'd that much pride left — not me own name. 
Oh, no ! It was respected once. People looked up to 
me once — before I dropped to this. You know that. 
.-C 106 > 



ACT II 

What do you think they call me now? " The Wreck." 
And I am. A digger in filth. A bit of life's wreckage. 

" The Wreck! " that's what I'm called. Me, with the 
game in me hand once. A beautiful wife — an' a beau- 
tiful home, an' a beautiful child — an' a beautiful career. 
All gone. Like this now. Oh, no, nobody knoAvs me 
name. You and he are safe. Never use it. No right 
to it. I've fouled it — and me body. 

\Pause.'\ 

Our son! \^Groans.^ My son! [Straightens tip.^ 
But he'll never know. I've done j^ou enough harm. Not 
that — not as low as that. I'm go in' out as I came an' 
he'll never be the wiser. 

MRS. LAXFEAR 

You will stay here. 

THE PATIENT 

No, I won't. [Angrily.] I tell ye I won't. He 
mustn't see me again. He mustn't know he's got a thing 
like me for a father. He's just beginning. I'm finished. 
Fancy ! I was like him once — not to look at. He's 
more like you. I mean I had hope and strength an' I 
wanted to do things. Just like him ! He's a clean, 
straight fellow, too — an' kind. Knew in a flash what 
was the matter with me. Was goin' to cure me. Said 
he'd drive the poison out an' make me clean. Ye'U never 
tell him, will ye? 



WRECKAGE 

MRS. LANFEAR 



Yes, I will. 



THE PATIENT 

[Indignantly.] It 'ud be a rotten thing to do. Crush 
him like that at the start. 

MRS. LANFEAK, 

It wouldn't crush him. 

THE PATIENT 

He'd never lift his head up. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

You mustn't think that. 

THE PATIENT 

I don't think it; I know it. I've seen it before with a 
pal of mine. We used to hunt together. He was just 
as low as I am. His boy found him and what did he do ? 
Blew his brains out. That's what he did. Couldn't face 
it. My boy isn't going to do that — not if I can help it. 
He's never known me. He never will know me. Did 
you ever tell him — about me ? 

MRS. lANFEAB. 

No. I said you were dead. 

THE PATIENT 

Good job^ too. Well, I'll stay dead. 



ACT II 

MRS. LANFEAR 

He is giving his life to saving people from the drug- 
habit. He'll save you. 

THE PATIENT 

Fine chance to save me. Me! \^Deris{velyJ\ I'm 
too old a bird to be saved. Lots have tried. No use — 
can't be done. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

He's not had a failure yet. 

THE PATIENT 

Well, I won't spoil his record. Nothing 'ud cure me. 
An' I don't know as I want to be either. 

[Mutters to himself, without looking at ^er.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Looking at him sadly.] Haven't you a kind thought 
or word for me? 

THE PATIENT 

No. I hardly know ye. Yer like some one's come out 
of some other life. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Let us think back to that other life. 

THE PATIENT 

Think back? Not me! I'm quite miserable enough 
without that. Have ye had a good look at me, eh? 
-C109> 



WRECKAGE 

l^Goes to table and turns on the lamp so that it shines full 
on his face.^ Look! 

[Waits, as she looks at him.^ 

Do ye want to " think back " now? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I am always doing that — thinking of the days when 
I was happy — with you. 

THE PATIENT 

[Shivers.l T don't. Gives me the horrors. Ye don't 
know what I've been since then. Ye don't know what 
I've done. But ye can see what I am. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I remember what you were. Give our son a chance to 
save you. 

THE PATIENT 

I tell ye it wouldn't be fair. What would he think? 
What would he say? What would he do? [^Shivers.'\ 
Oh, no ! 

MRS. LANFEAR 

He is as you were — when we were together. 

THE PATIENT 

\^LooJcing hack across the years — he whispers, almost 
as if it rcere a prayer.^ God help me. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

He will help you. 



ACT II 

THE PATIEXT 

[Ferociously.] Oh, no, He won't. He's forgotten 
me. The only times I've spoken His name for tv/enty 
years have been to blaspheme it. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

He is merciful. 

THE PATIENT 

He's forgotten me, I tell you. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

He made you in His likeness. 

THE PATIENT 

His likeness ! Look at me. God's work — and 
Man's. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

It was the test He put you through ! 

THE PATIENT 

Oh, I've been tested all right. An' how have I come 
out? I'm seamed and scarred through and through. 
Rotten at heart, rotten in soul. There's not a clean 
thought or impulse in me mind. I've been livin' in hell. 
That's what I've been doin' ! Years of it. And all the 
time I've drugged me thoughts and me conscience. Just 
now they began to waken — through him. The first 
kindness any one has shown me for years. They've all 
despised me. An' why shouldn't they ? What's the good 



WRECKAGE 

of a creature like me^ anyway? Yet he seemed to think 
there was. He offered to lift me up. Give me back me 
soul. Soul! Lost long ago. It's only when your soul's 
lost that you can drug and foul yourself. Ye don't care 
then. I didn't. Till just now. Just for a minute I 
thought I had a chance. But it's no use. 
\^He goes on muttering inaudibly. After a while she 
speaks.^ 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Why did you leave me? 

THE PATIENT 

Do you want to know? 

MRS. LANFEAK, 

Yes. 

THE PATIENT 

When I tell ye ye won't want me to stay. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Yes, I will. 

THE PATIENT 

I left ye because if I'd stayed I'd have killed ye. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[In horror.l Oh! Why? 

THE PATIENT 

Ye remember when I got better after I'd been ill and 
I still wanted morphine? 



ACT II 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Yes, indeed I do, 

THE PATIENT 

You used to reason with me — just as ye did when 
before that I'd drink too much? 
[Mrs Lanfear nods,] 

THE PATIENT 
I didn't mind ye talking about the drink. I could stop 
it whenever I had any hard work to do. It never got 
any real hold of me. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I know. 

THE PATIENT 

But the morphine I couldn't stop. I tried to over and 
over again. It was no good. I always had to go back to 
it — and especially when I had big work on hand — 
that's where it's different to drink. It had a firm grip 
on me an' wouldn't let go. I went to the doctor who first 
injected it into me — who started me on it — the man 
who is responsible for me being like this — I went to him 
and begged him to cure me. I'd do anything he told me 
— suffer anything if only I could get free. He told me 
there was no cure. I had to do it myself; that it was 
just weakness on my part giving way to it. I should 
stop it gradually. He'd cursed me with a habit and yet 
could do nothing to stop it. He didn't know when he 
gave me the stuff that it couldn't be stopped: that I 



WRECKAGE 

couldn't leave it off. Just Ignorance — that's what it 
was. Just ignorance. And hundreds like him. 
[Fiercely. 1 These men should be tried in open court and 
put away where they can't break men's lives, 

[Pause.'] 

Well, I did me best to break it off gradually. No use. 
My whole body would ache for it. I couldn't do a stroke 
of work without it. Me brain wouldn't act without mor- 
phine. Then I got ashamed of it. I couldn't bear you 
to look at me. I knew what you were thinking — and 
you didn't know what I was suffering. Finding I 
couldn't stop it gradually I tried private cures through 
advertisements — things to take at home where no one 
could see ye. Fine things they were ! Several times I 
thought I was cured. I didn't need morphine. I'd go 
weeks without it. So long as I took the " cure " I felt 
no ill-effects. Then when I'd stop the " cure " the same 
horrible pains would come back, and I'd fly to morphine 
again. I've only found out since zvhy they never cured 
me. The " cures " contained morphine mixed with some 
other harmless medicine. They were giving me the 
poison to cure the poison. They make fortunes that 
way, the heartless thieves ! One day I gave up the 
struggle. I'd grown to hate going home, to loathe meet- 
ing you, to dread seeing the boy. All decency was slowly 
and surely leaving me. I knew the crash would come 
some day. The edge of my brain was dulled and my 
partners and clients were noticing it. I lost several big 
cases. I made up my mind to get away before I did 



ACT II 

something that would bring disgrace on you and the bov. 
By that time I was half crazed. I put all my aTa rs n 
order. Settled what I thought fair on you in ^ 
that I couldn't touch it, and, with what I L. i 
a complete "get-away." Left no trace w^Xxv; - 
goin'. I meant, if ever I could fight the habit to a f.nisn 
I would come back. But I couldn't fight it. I spent six 
months in a sanitarium. They told me they were sure 
they could cure me. They'd take it away from me little 
by little. They charged me fifty dollars a week, and 
when my funds got low they turned me out with just as 
much craving for the drug as I had when I went in. I 
went from bad to worse. I lost or spent everything. I'd 
go for weeks without one sane moment. I had the mor- 
phine-mind. Then I broke down altogether. They put 
me in a hospital. I couldn't get any there. They 
thought it would cure me. Cure ! Directly I got out I 
ran to the first place I knew I could get some. Now I'd 
throw myself under a train rather than go to a hospital 
and lie there sweating and groaning and aching for even 
one grain — yes, half a grain — even the look of the 
needle ! No more hospitals for me. You're better dead 
than in one of 'em — at least men like me are. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I'd have helped you to fight it if you'd onlj^ trusted me. 

THE PATIENT 

A morphine-maniac does not trust any one decent. 
You only reminded me of what I was before I fell. You 



WRECKAGE 

were a constant, silent reproach to me. And I hated 
you — yes, I did. Time and time again as we sat look- 
ing at each other across the table I wanted to hurt you. 
To scream out curses at ye — to make ye feel something 
of the hell I was suffering. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

If I'd only known! 

THE PATIENT 

Just as well ye didn't. Ye v/ouldn't have understood. 
No sane, healthy person can understand a drug-fiend ! 
That's why we cling together. Everybody's against us. 
Very well — we stick by each other. I've closed the 
eyes of many a poor " dope." When my time comes one 
of 'em '11 do it for me — unless I'm in jail or hospital. 
{Fiercely.'} Curse that doctor who first put the stuff into 
me veins. May he burn in torment — may he — 

MRS. LAN FEAR 

Don't, don't. 

THE PATIENT 

He put something into me that's been one long tor- 
ture not only of me body, but of me mind. A rotten 
poison that maddens the brain and withers the body. 
Look what it's done for me! Destroyed ambition, 
honour, my love for you an' for me boy — everything that 
once made life for me. All — all — left me. Just this 
now — j ust this till I end it — if I ever have the pluck 
to end it! I've often tried. No use! Not enough 



ACT II 

decency left even for that. I've reached the dregs. Our 
son was right when he said I was in the depths. 

MES. LANFEAR 

Then out of the depths cry up to your Maker. 

THE PATIENT 

He wouldn't hear me. Not He ! 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I'll pray with you! 

THE PATIENT 

Prayer ! From me ! It'd sound like blasphemy ! 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Let me tend you, watch over you, help you. We've 
neither of us much longer to live. The only happiness 
I've had since I first met and married you has been whilst 
I was with you, and, after you left me, my memory of 
you. That — and caring for our son. I will be happy 
caring for you. 

THE PATIENT 

No, I won't let you do that. 
[Mrs. Lanfear puts her hand on his arm.'] 
You mustn't touch me. 
\^She tries to speak to him.] 

Nor speak to me. [Covers his face.] Or look at me. 
I'm just a lost soul! Lost! Wrecked! 



WRECKAGE 

MRS. LANFEAR 

You're my husband. Let me love the best that is in 
you. Let us destroy the worst. 

THE PATIENT 

[Looks long at her — he softens.^ Ye've not changed 
much, have ye? Yer grey, that's all. An' the laugh's 
gone from yer eyes. Ye were just a child then, weren't 
je} 

MRS. LANFEAR. 

[Her eyes jilling.^ Yes. 

THE PATIENT 

Remember how we used to sit up plannin* things? 
[Mrs. Lanfear nods.^ 

THE PATIENT 

When I had a big case ye'd hunt up the books for me 
an' find the places in 'em an' ye'd sit there while I 
worked, quiet as a mouse. An' ye were always so sure 
of me. I'd be a judge some day, ye used to say. An' I 
would have been, too — a judge — that's what I'd have 
been. What a muck ! Then the baby came. I remem- 
ber standin' outside yer door — in the middle of the 
night it was — an' hearin' it cry an' wonderin' if you 
were saved — an' sobbin' me heart out with j oy an' 
laughin' at the same time when I knew ye were. 
[His lips go on moving, but no sound comes: he is quite 

stooped now, his right hand swinging helplessly in 



ACT II 

front of him. Mrs. Lanfear takes the free hand in 
both of hers and they stand in silence, tears streaming 
down their faces.^ 
[Dr. Lanfear comes in through doors L. Mrs. Lan- 
fear drops The Patient's hand and turns to her son.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

[To his mother.] What are you doing here? 
[The moment The Patient hears Dr. Lanfear's voice 
he rouses himself and walks unsteadily towards the 
door R.U.E.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

Where are you going? 

THE patient 
[Roughly.'] I don't want to stay here. 

DR. lanfear 
Why not? 

the patient 
I don't want to. That's all. I'm goin'. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Changed your mind^ eh? 

THE PATIENT 

[Loudly.] That's what I have. Changed me mind. 

DR. LANFEAR 

You don't want to be cured? 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIENT 

No. I want to go. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Don't you think you're very foolish? 

THE PATIENT 

Don't care whether I am or not. No business of 
yours. 

DR. LANFEAR 

It is my business. You're not going out of this room. 
[The Patient makes an unsteady lurch towards the 
door. Dr. Lanfear steps in front of Aim.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Hysterically.'] You mustn't let him go ! We must 
keep him here — we must! [Grips Dr. Lanfear by 
the arm and holds on to him.] It's come to pass! It's 
come to pass ! I knew it would ! I knew it would ! I 
knew it would ! He's come back to me ! He's come 
back to me ! 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Quite puzzled, not understanding in the least, looks 
questioningly into his mother's eyes.] Come back to 
you? [Repeats as some iaint idea of what she means 
breaks in on him.] Come back to you? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Yes, to me, to us! 



ACT II 

DR. LAN FEAR 

[Turns quickly and looks at The Patient. Turns 
back to his mother and pointing in disgust at The Pa- 
tient.] That? 

MRS. lANFEAR 

Yes. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Unable to believe it.] My father? 

MRS. I^NFEAR 

Yes. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Stunned, pressing his forehead with his open palms.] 
You told me he was dead! 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I know I did. He's been dead to me. But — he's 
come back to us. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[In horror.] No, no! Oh, no! Not that! 
[The Patient cowers down: gradually the convulsive 
twitchings come hack to him. The effect of the in- 
jection is beginning to wear off.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Go to him! Speak to him! 

DR. LANFEAR 

I can't believe it! I can't believe it! 



WRECKAGE 

[Shudders in disgust and turns axvay from his father 
with a gesture as though he would shut him for ever 
out of his sight.] 

THE PATIENT 

[To Mrs. Lanfear.] I told you not to tell him. Ye 
see what ye've done? What else could ye expect? My 
pal all over again. His son did just what he's doin'. 
If ye saw into his mind [Poi7its to Dr. Lanfear.] he's 
thinking the same, too. [To Dr. Lanfear.] Don't be 
afraid. I won't bother ye. Rotten luck my cosmin' in 
here to-night! Just rotten luck for all of us. Not 
much harm done. Except yer pride. Won't think so 
much of yerself now ye've seen what ye sprang from, 
will ye? Don't fear. No one'll be any the wiser. I 
won't tell. [Turns to door R.U.E.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 
[To her son.] You mustn't let him go. [Waits — 
she pleads again.] Don't let him go — please don't! 

DR. u^nfeab 
[Turns round and says peremptorily.] Come here. 

THE PATIENT 

What's the use? Ye couldn't keep me here now. I 
wouldn't look at a dog the way you looked at me. 

DR. lanfear 
[Authoritatively.] Come here. 



ACT II 

[Something in the doctor's tone cows The Patient. 
He drags himself slowly down to Dr. Lanfear stooped 
and cringing; his body bending forward and trying 
to straighten itself again and again.'\ 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Looking dozvn at him.] And you're my father! 
[The man covers his eyes in shame and abasement.'] 

DR. LANFEAR 

Wliat is this poison that can turn a human being into 
such a thing as you.'' What is its purpose? Why do 
we use it at all.'' To relieve pain. Why, weigh all the 
pain in the world against such a horror as it has 
made of you and it would be better that all humanity 
should suffer. From now no drug ever goes into a hu- 
man body through me. [Turns to his mother.] One of 
us caused that ! One of us. A doctor ! And there are 
thousands more like him. Misshapen, brutish, warped 
mentally, diseased physically, dragging their way 
through corruption, creeping out at night afraid to face 
the sun, ashamed to look their fellow-creatures in the 
eye: waiting until death takes them out of their misery 
to go crushed and unclean and terrified before their 
Maker. [With a great gesture of horror he moves rest- 
lessly about the room.] It isn't their fault, it isn't his. 
It's ours. We are to blame. They know nothing of the 
risk they run when they are first given the poison. Few 
doctors do. But I am going to see that they do. I am 



WRECKAGE 

going to start a movement through this country to ex- 
pose the whole rottenness of such ignorance. If a doc- 
tor gives a man an over-dose of poison the doctor is 
prosecuted and punished. But he can put all the opium 
and cocaine poison he likes into a man or a woman and 
the law punishes the patient. I am going to see that 
xve shoulder our share of the blame if it takes the rest 
of my life. 

THE PATIENT 

I'd like to crucify the brute who first gave it to me: 
crucify him, I would. 

DK. LANFEAR 

[Looles down at his father: he shows in his manner 
the swift change from disgust to pity. He puts his hands 
round his father's shoulders. '\ My poor, poor father. 

THE PATIENT 

[^Suddenly breaks all restraint and throws himself on 
the ground at his son's feet and clutches at his knees with 
his right hand, crying hysterically.^ Save me! save 
me! I'll do anything you tell me — anything! Only 
take this curse from me. Make me a man again — not 
a beast ! Give me back conscience and brain and soul. 
Save me ! Save me ! Oh ! Save me ! 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Pityingly and tenderly.^ I will, I will. I've fought 
with the poison for others and beaten it. I'll drive it 



ACT II 

from you. [Raises his father up from, the ground.^ 
I'll save you. 

[The two men go on talking together amid sobs and 
broken hysterical ejaculations.^ 

THE PATIENT 

It wasn't my fault, indeed it wasn't! 

DR. LANFEAE 

I know, I know ! 

THE PATIENT 

I have tried ! Really, I have ! 

DE. LANFEAE 

I am sure you have. 

THE PATIENT 

I didn't know what it was — or I'd never have let 
him give it to me — indeed I wouldn't. 

DR. LANFEAE 

Of course you wouldn't. 

THE PATIENT 

But I'll beat it. You see if I don't. I'll beat it. If 
you'll help me.'' 

DR. I^NFEAE 

We'll beat it together. 
[They talk rapidly, overlapping each other. The Pa- 
tient clinging to his son, who tries to quiet Aim.] 



WRECKAGE 

[Mrs. Lanfear watches and listens, tears streaming 
down her face.] 

[Burrows comes in from L.U.E. overcoat on and hat 
in hand. Dr. Lanfear puts his father down on the 
Chesterfield the moment the doors open.] 

BURROWS 

[To Dr. Lanfear.] Well, you're a fine host, I must 
say. [To Mrs. Lanfear.] Been lookin' for ye all over 
the place. [.See* The Patient.] Hello! Didn't know 
ye had a sick person here or I wouldn't have come in. 
[To Mrs. Lanfear.] Good-bye. Mother and the girl 
are putting their things on. Had a lovely evenin'. 
[Looks at Dr. Lanfear.] Except when I came in here 
— before. Lovely evenin'. Didn't like yer music, but 
ye had just the game of whist I like. They let me win 
once in a while. [Shakes hands with Dr. Lanfear.] 
Drop round and see me sometime. We'll go into that 
thing. There ought to be real money in it. Go after 
it. [Looks at The Patient.] One o' the poor ones, 
eh? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

BURROWS 

Now you cut that out. What's Belle Vue Hospital 
for.? 

THE PATIENT 
[From the moment he first hears Burrows's voice has 
been glaring at him malignantly: his face and fingers 



ACT II 

twitching furiously. At the mention of Belle Vue Hos- 
pital he springs up "with a scream: all the sordidness and 
degradation of his surroundings for years comes out in 
his coarse speech and common abuse.^ Belle Vue? 
Belle Vue^ eh? It's men like you keep it full. Men 
like you! Blast you and your kind. I know you. 
" Cast-iron Burrows " they call ye. An' yer well named. 
I've worked for ye. [Turns to Dr. Lanfear.] Yes, 
I've worked for him. An' when I got hurt the foreman 
said I was drunk and had me " pinched." Yes, he did. 
Sent for a " cop " and had me " pinched," the dirty 
blackguard! Drunk! Me! I've not tasted a drop of 
drink for twenty years. Starved — that's what I was — 
starved. An' he had me put in Belle Vue as an " alco- 
holic." Didn't even pay me the little money was comin' 
tome. [Turning on HvRROWs.] Ye dog! But there'll 
be a reckonin' with you and the lot like ye. That's what 
there'll be — a reckonin'. Ye can't stamp on us always 
— that ye can't. It'll come. They'll strip yer money 
from ye an' throw ye to rot in jail where there's lots like 
ye already. I've sent a few up meself in my time. Ye 
damned thieves ! Ye damned heartless brutes and 
thieves. [Makes a rush at Burrows, screaming.^ Ye'd 
send me to Belle Vue again, would ye ? 



DR. LANFEAB 

[Holding The Patient firmly, speaking to Burrows.] 
You'd better go. 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIENT 

I'll get you yet — you — 

DR. liANFEAB, 

[Angrily to Fatie'nt.'] Stop! Do you hear? Stop! 
[Motions Burrows to go.] 

BURROWS 

Oh, I'm going all right. Don't suppose I'll stay here 
and hear any more of that stuff, do ye? 

THE PATIENT 

[Struggling with Dr. Lanfear.] Heartless thieves 
— that's what ye are ! 
[Dr. Lanfear forces the man over to the Chesterfield and 

puts him down onto it and stands over him.] 

BURROWS 

[To Dr. Lanfear.] So he's the kind ye waste yer 
time on, eh? 

DR. lanfear 
He is. 

BURROWS 

One of yer drug-takers? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

BURROWS 

Think you'll cure him? 



ACT II 

DR. LANFEAR 



I mean to. 



BURROWS 

What'll ye do with him if ye do? Turn him out on 
us again, eh? He ought to be in the penitentiary doin' 
somethin' useful. That kind of man oughtn't to be at 
large. 

[The Patient, with an angry growl tries to struggle up. 
Dr. Lanfear holds him firmly down on the Chester- 
field.^ 

DR. LANFEAE 

[To Burrows.] He'll not be turned out on the com- 
munity again. He will stay with me. He's my father. 

BURROWS 

]^Aghast.'] Your father? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

BURROWS 

Ye j ust told me he was dead. 

DR. LANFEAE 

I thought he was. 

BURROWS 

Well, he might just as well be by the look of him. 
He'd be a sight better ofF. I'm glad I've seen him. 



WRECKAGE 
Very glad. I'll not forget him in a hurry, I can tell 

ye. 

DR. LANFEAR 

You've said enough. Good night. 

BURROWS 

Said enough? No, I haven't. Not half enough. 
Why, that — 
[Dr. Lanfear motions to his mother to show Burrows 

out. Mrs. Lanfear goes to doors L. and beckons to 

Burrows.] 

BURROWS 

l^Goes to door — suddenly swings round.] Say — 
you'd better look somewhere else for a wife if that's 
" Exhibit A " in yer family. It's the last time I'll come 
here and — see — I think you'd better keep away from 
us. 
[Enter Mrs. Burrows and Kate, dressed for the street.] 

KA.TE 

[To Burrows.] What are you shouting about.'' 
They can hear you in the hall. 

BURROWS 

Let them. 

KATE 

[Goes to Lanfear.] What's the matter? 



ACT II 

BUREOWS 

[To Kate.] Come here. 

DR. LANFEAR 

l^Very white and agitated, standing well in front of 
The Patient to screen him from Kate.] Go with him, 
dear. I'll see you to-morrow. 

BURROWS 

No, you won't. Not to-morrow, nor any other day. 
You keep away. [To Kate.] If I find you seeing him 
again I'll pack you off to the country. 

KATE 

Oh, no, you won't. I'll see him just as often as I like. 

BURROWS 

What? 

KATE 

Not SO loud. I am only a few feet away. [To Dr. 
Lanfear.] What is he so noisy about.'' Because we're 
going to be married.'' 

BURROWS 

That's one thing, and you're not going to be either. 

KATE 

Oh, yes, I am. 

MRS. BURROWS 

[Interposing.] My dear — 



WRECKAGE 

KATE 

[To her Mother.^ You can let him bully you if you 
like. But he's not going to bully me any longer. I've 
had enough of it. 

BURROWS 

[Grimly.] Oh! Have you? 

KATE 

I have. You can bellow at your workmen and my 
mother because they're depending on you. I'm not. 

BURROWS 

So, yer bent on marrying him, are ye? 

KATE 

I am. 

BURROWS 

Then ye'd better meet yer future father-in-law. 
[To Dr. Lanfear.] Why don't ye introduce them? 

KATE 

[To Dr. Lanfear.] What does he mean? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Very distressed, faintly.] I'll tell you to-morrow. 

BURROWS 

[To Kate.] Ye'd better know to-night, my dear. 
Give ye something to sleep on. [Points to The Pa- 
tient.] There he is. 



ACT II 

KATE 

{^Loohs down at The Patient, writhing and twisting: 
the drug has completely zvorn off. She looks at him for 
some moments as if hardly able to believe it. Then she 
looks up at Dr. Lanfear. She asks in a whisper.] Is 
he? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Very quietly.] Yes. 

[Kate sways as if she were about to faint: covers her 
eyes with her hands and shivers and chatters.] 

[Mrs. Burrows goes to her and puts her arms around 
her. Dr. Lanfear signs to his mother to take them 
away. Mrs. Lanfear leads Mrs. Burrows a7id Kate 
up and out through the doors L.U.E. Burrows fol- 
lows them out. Dr. Lanfear goes up and closes the 
doors. He walks down anxious and zcoi-ried as the 
scene that has just taken place passes through his 
mind.] 

THE PATIENT 

[Looks up at the Doctor timidly.] Sorry I broke out. 
I couldn't help it. Ye don't know what I suffered in 
Belle Vue — all through him. The brute ! Fell off one 
of his girders, I did. Nearly broke me hip. In case 
they were held responsible the foreman handed me over 
to a " cop." Drunk, he said. That's the way they treat 
us when we get down. Stamp on us. Sorry I broke out. 
I'll never do it again — never ! 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAR 

Don't talk about it. 

THE PATIENT 

[Whini7ig and writhing to and fro.'\ Ye won't turn 
me out because I did it? 

DR. LANFEAR 

No. 

THE PATIENT 

An' ye'll take care of me? 





DR. LANFEAR 


Yes. 






THE PATIENT 


Yerself? 






DR. LANFEAR 


Yes. 





THE PATIENT 

Ye won't send me to a hospital? 

DR. LANFEAR 

No. {Walks away thinking. 1 

THE PATIENT 

Thank ye. {Looks at Dr. Lanfear, whose hack is to 
him. Then he looks down at his own rags, at his coarse 
hands, feels his wounded arm. Then he says hoarsely .1^ 
How ye must be ashamed of me. 



ACT II 



DU. liANFEAB, 



[Goes to The Patient and puts his hands on the 
man's shoulder.^ Don't think that. 

THE PATIENT 

^Crying and snuffling.] An' why shouldn't ye be? 
" The Wreck." That's what I am. They all know me. 
All the " dopes." I'm the King of 'em. None of 'em 
have been at it so long as I have. Can take more than 
any of 'em, too. Yes, I can. Pretty nearly twice as 
much. 

[Dr. Lanfear sits beside him, thinking.] 
[After a little the man rambles on.] Last night I 
slept on the steps of a Club in 44th Street. The clean- 
ers kicked me off at six this mornin'. Then I wandered 
round the ash-barrels to see what I could find. Begged 
a dime off a drunken man an' had some coffee an' cake. 
I hate meat: never eat it now. Sweet coffee an' cakes. 
That's me. Six lumps of sugar if I can get 'em — if 
they're not watchin'. An' cakes all coated in sugar. 
They're great. Only times I've ever stole anythin' have 
been out o' cake shops. That's all. Never hurt any 
one in me life — except when I had a lot o' " coke " * in 
me. Just plain coke, or heroin. Drives me crazy, that 
does. Heroin's the boy, I tell ye. I could fight a 
regiment if I had a good jolt. I feel as strong. 
[Braces his right arm.] Just as strong as — 

* " Coke." Cocaine. 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAB, 

[In agony.] Don't! Don't talk! [Gets up and 
•walks away.] 

THE PATIENT 

[Cringing.] All right, I won't. [Mutters to him- 
self.] I'd like to have killed Mm just now. Smash his 
skull. If I'd had enough " coke " in me I'd have done 
it, too. 
[He stops talhing : looks around at Dr. Lanfear who 

has gone up to back. The Patient laughs a foolish, 

eerie, mirthless laugh.] 

Funny, isn't it? Damn funny! "The Wreck" with 
a clean-limbed, well-dressed, fashionable-looking son like 
you. Funny as hell ! [Laughs until it dies away in his 
throat with a cough.] Nice girl that, too. Crazy about 
ye. Any one could see that. Sorry she saw me. 

[Pause.] 

[In a moment he goes on again.] Last night 
sleepin' on a stone-step: to-night between clean sheets. 
Can't believe it. An hour ago a poor " dope," huntin' 
his meals; not a friend in the world. Now in a home. 
Home. Me wife — an' you. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[In distress.] Stop! Please, please stop I 

THE PATIENT 

[Whining again.] Don't be angry. [Cries and sniv- 
els and strokes his poisoned arm very gently. Goes on 



ACT II 

again.l Know how I got this? [Touches his left arm.1 
A month ago it was. I went up into the elevated sta- 
tion at 50th Street and Sixth Avenue an' got behind the 
door — hardly any one about — and gave meself a 
"jolt" with the syringe. While the needle was still 
in a fellow let the swing-door fall back on me an' 
snapped the needle off in me arm, snapped it right off. 
I could have smashed him. Rotten luck that was, wasn't 
it? [Gently rubs his arm, then begins to tremble and 
twitch convulsively.] I've got the horrors. Give me a 
" jolt," will ye} He didn't give me much in there. It's 
all gone — all of it. I can stand a lot. ISIore'n any one. 
[In a bragging, boasting tone.] D'ye know I've taken 
forty grains in one day! Forty grains in one (tay! 
What do ye think of that? Mixed, of course. Not all 
" coke." Morphine half of it. Forty grains! Very few 
could take that. I did. Ever know any one could take 
forty grains in one day ? 

[Dr. Lanfear goes impatiently to table and takes a 
powder out of a drawer.] 

THE PATIENT 

[Watching him craftily and anxiously.] Give me a 
little? Will ye? 

[Pause.] 

Are ye goin' to give me a little? [Brightening up.] 
Eh? 
[Dr. Lanfear fdls a glass zcith water, goes to The 

Patient and gives him the powder.] 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIENT 

[Holding up the powder.] What's this? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Take it. 

THE PATIENT 

Anything in it? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Sharply.] Take it. 

THE PATIENT 

All right. [Swallows potvder, reaches for glass 
quickly and gulps some water and coughs, makes a wry 
face and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.] 
Bitter, ain't it? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Keep quiet. Don't talk, [^uts glass back on table 
and walks about thinking.] 

THE PATIENT 

I won't. [Keeps quiet a few seconds, rubbing his 
nose two or three times quickly with his forefinger; 
watches Dr. Lanfear: then pleads.] Give me a little 
"jolt/' will ye? Just a small one? Eh? [Waits, 
twitches and writhes.] Well, let me have a snifF of 
"coke"? A quick sniiF — [Coaxing.] Just for luck, will 
ye? 



ACT II 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Angrily-I You'll never have any drug from me. 
Nor will any one else. [With growing heat.] Rather 
than give you any of that poison I'd turn you out into 
the streets. 

THE PATIENT 

IQuailing and crying.] Don't do that ! Don't do that ! 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Goes to door R.U.E., opens it, goes out and calls.] 
Cobb. 

DR. COBB 

[In the distance.] Hello? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Is the room ready.'' 

DR. COBB 

Yes. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Is the nurse there.'' 

DR. COBB 

She's on her way. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Come in here. I want you. 

DR. COBB 

Half a minute. 



WRECKAGE 

[Dr. Lanfear re-enters, his face set and hard. He 
goes dozen to The Patient and looks gloomily at 
Aim.] 

THE PATIENT 

[Has been muttering to himself, his eyes closed. He 
opens them and finds his son looking down at him. He 
gives a little forced laugh.^ There you are! I'm 
glad I found ye. Ye're something lik6 a son, you 
are. You're all right. [Shivers.] I'm wet through. 
[Shivers again.] Wringing wet. Feel me? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I know. 

THE PATIENT 

Wet as a rag. Got a drop o' brandy? Haven't 
touched it for — Good Lord, how long is it ? Honest, 
I haven't. Wouldn't mind a drop now. Take these 
shivers away. Warm me up. May I ? 

[Pause.] 

No? 

[Pause.] 

You're a bit rough on your old father, ain't ye ? 

[Pause.] 

What have ye given me? Top o' my head's goin' up 
an' down. [Laughs a sickly, chuckling cunning laugh.] 
You're an artful lot, you doctors, ain't ye? You can 
give us anything you like. But we never know what 
you give yerself, do we ? Lord ! I feel funny. Hon- 
est, I do. Can't keep me eyes open. 



ACT II 

[Pause.} 

Oh, dear, my head — [Lies back and closes his eyes."] 
I would like a little. Just a snifF. It 'ud make me feel 
good. 

[Pause.'} 

My arm doesn't hurt now. Pain all gone. Quite 
comfortable, quite. 

[Pauses.} 

Everything's all soft an' quiet. I'm glad I found you. 
Very glad — I — I — [His voice dies away — he 
sleeps.} 
[As Dr. Lanfear watches him, in spite of himself, a 

shudder of repulsion passes through him.} 
[Dr. Cobb can be heard humming vigorously down the 

corridor. He comes into the room. Dr. Lanfear 

checks him with a sign.} 

DR. COBB 

Eh? [Follows the direction of Dr. Lanfear's eyes 
and sees The Patient.] Oh! Asleep again? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

DR. COBB 

" The Wreck/' eh? [As he looks whimsically at The 
Patient.] 

dr. lanfear 
What? 

-{:i4i> 



WRECKAGE 

DE. COBB 

He told me in there he was called that. Good name 
for him, too. 

DR. LANFEAB, 

It won't be any longer. 

DR. COBB 

Still hopeful.? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes, hopeful and determined. 

DR. COBB 

I'll tell you what I think. If an angel came down 
from heaven to save that delightful person — 

DR. liANFEAR 

Don't say anything more. He is my father. 

DR. COBB 

\Loohs quickly at Dr. Lanfear, then at The Pa- 
tient and hack again to Dr. Lanfear — a flush of 
shame crimsoning his boyish face.] I beg your pardon 
— I had no idea — 

DR. LANFEAR 

That's all right. Be gentle with him. 

DR. COBB 

[Eagerly.] I'll do anything in the world — 



ACT II 

DR. LANFEAB, 

I know you will. 

DR. COBB 

I'll say nothing. 

DR. LANFEAR 

As you please. 

DR. COBB 

Are you angry with me .'' 

DR. LAN FEAR 

No. Only don't let us — [Breaks off — turns azvay.^ 

DR. COBB 

[Looks at him — then impulsively goes to Dr. Lan- 
FEAR and puts his hand affectionately on the doctor's 
shoulder.'\ Oh! I'm so sorry. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Impatiently. Nervously. '\ Wheel him in. Put him 
to bed. I'll be in. [Stands looking into space, think- 
ing.] 
[Dr. Cobb wheels the chair tozvards the door; it catches 

against a chair.] 

DR. COBB 

Clumsy ! [Looks down anxiously at The Patient, 
who is still fast asleep.] I thought I'd wakened him. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I've given him an opiate. 



WRECKAGE 

DR. COBB 

Here we go. 
[He wheels The Patient out through door R.U.E. — 
as he reaches the door Mrs. Lanfear enters through 
the doors L.U.E. She watches Dr. Cobb wheel the 
man out. She moves across to follow him.^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

Don't go in. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I want to. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'd rather you didn't. Stay here. 
[He crosses over and shuts the door R.U.E. Mrs Lan- 
fear sits in the arm chair trembling.^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

Have they all gone? [Dully.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Yes. Kate will ring you up in the morning. [Tak- 
ing his tone.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'll send her a note round presently. [Sits beside his 
mother.] 
[JPause — they both sit thinking. After a while she 

speaks.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I am sorry you told ]\Ir. Burrows. 



ACT II 

DR.. LANFEAR 

I'm not. He'd have to know some time. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

He'll stop the marriage now. 

DR.. LANFEAR 

Don't let us talk about that. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[After a pause — in a whisper.] Can you cure him? 

DR. LANFEAR 

If it's possible I will. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

How long will it take ? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I can't tell yet. I'll know better to-morrow. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Will he be all right then ? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I don't know. He's been taking it so long. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Pauses.] What's the matter with his arm? Broken? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Poisoned. That's simple enough. 
< 145 y 



WRECKAGE 

MRS. LANFEAE 

[Pauses.'\ Will he be very ill? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Quite likely. First few days. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[^Timidly.'] May I nurse him? 

DR. LANFEAR 

No. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Please let me. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Shakes his head.] Not at first. Later on — per- 
haps. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Puts her hand on his ar7n.'] He's my husband, dear. 

DR. LANFEAR 

That creature isn't your husband. That's a twisted, 
deformed demon. He hasn't a thought that isn't dis- 
torted. [Gets up, moves about restlessly, throwing his 
hands above his head.] It's like being in a mad-house 
listening to him. [MaJces a gesture as if putting the 
thought away from him — stops in front of her.] Is 
that the man you married? 

[Pause.] 

You know it isn't. It's an evil spirit come back in 
your husband's body. 



ACT II 



MRS. liANFEAE 



Don't, don't! 



DR. LANFEAR 

They say there are no miracles. If that foul-looking, 
evil-talking creature becomes a sane, clean human being 
again will you believe in them? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Yes, dear. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Then let us pray that he will. This is not just a 
struggle to save a piece of wreckage. I'm going to try 
and bring your husband back out of that wreck. I'm 
going to try and bring back my father. {^Suddenly .'\ 
What was he? 

MRS. LANFEAR 



A lawyer. 
Successful? 



DR. LANFEAR 



MRS. LANFEAR 

Very. He had a great future until his illness — 
when he was first given — 

DR. LANFEAR 

\^Interrupting .'\ Yes, yes — Why didn't you tell 
me years ago ? It wasn't fair — saying he was dead. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I was ashamed, dear. 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAB, 

Ah! That's it. That's the trouble. If people 
would only understand that "there's nothing to be 
ashamed of in a habit that the person is not responsible 
for, we wouldn't have one quarter such terrible examples. 
They hide it and lie about it, as if it were some horrible 
sin instead of being a habit that yields surely and quickly 
to intelligent treatment. If he'd stood by you and let 
you help him he'd never have fallen to this. It's mostly 
shame that makes degenerates like him. 

[Pause.'\ 

You shouldn't have told me he was dead. Makes a 
liar of me to that fellow Burrows, 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I'm sorry, dear. I know it was wrong. [In a low 
heart-broken voice.] I didn't want you to know your 
father was — like that. 

DR. liANFEAR 

[The patient resignation of her voice melts him — He 
speaks to her tenderly.] Go to bed now, dear. Try 
and get some sleep. Put it out of your mind. 

MRS. LAN FEAR 

I couldn't sleep. [Shivers.] Let me stay with you. 
[Enter Dr. Cobb R.U.E.] 

DR. COBB 

[Very quietly.] The nurse is here. 



All right. 
Coming in? 



ACT II 



DR. liANFEAK. 



DR. COBB 



DR. LANFEAB 

Yes. 
[Dr. Cobb goes out R.U.E. Dr. Lanfear goes slowly 
towards the door R.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I'll wait for you. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I may be some time. Try and rest. Go upstairs. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Shakes her head.] No, I'd rather wait here. Per- 
haps you can tell now, 

DR. LANFEAR 

I won't do much to-night. Just start him off right. 
To-morrow I'll make a thorough examination. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Looks up at him, her eyes fall, her lips quivering.] 
Save him. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'll do my best. [Goes to her, bends down and kisses 
her on the forehead — then goes to one of the drawers in 
the table, takes oiit a vial and a stethoscope.] 
< 149 > 



WRECKAGE 

[He then goes quietly out R.U.E. Mrs. Lanfear sits 
there helplessly, one hand beating against the other, 
tears streaming down her face, her lips moving but no 
sound coming from them.^ 
[Very slowly the curtain comes down and hides her.] 



THE END OF ACT 11 



-C150> 



Salvation 



ACT III 

A Villa on a promontory overlooking the sea. Through 
the open windows can be seen cliffs with winding paths 
leading up to them. 

The scene passes in a pleasant, cheerful well-furnished 
room in the Villa opening on to a flower garden, bril- 
liant with many-hued floxvers and with pathway 
stretching down to the ocean. The colouring of the 
room is old rose. 

Dr. Lanfear enters in travelling-dress followed by a 
servant, they are both talking as they enter. 

DR. LANFl:Aa 

How long has he been gone.'' 

SERVANT 

It's over an hour since he drove away with Dr. Cobb. 

DR. LANFEAR 

They ought to be back soon. 
[Taking off his coat, hat and gloves and giving them to 

the Servant.] 

SERVANT 

Yes^ sir. Never stays out more than an hour, as a 
rule. But it's a nice day; they may have loitered. 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAU 

Is the nurse in? 

SERVANT 

She was reading a novel when I looked in the room 
a while ago. I'll see, sir. 

DR. LANFEAR 

If she's there ask her to bring the chart. 

SERVANT 

Yes, sir. 

DR. LANFEAB 

Where's my mother.'' 

SERVANT 

Out on the lawn — she teas, sir. 

[Dr. Lanfear goes out through the windows. Serv- 
ant goes out L.] 

[Dr. Lanfear loohs around the garden, locates his 
mother in the distance and waves to her.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Calling.'] Come along in. 
Incomes back into the room, smiling happily, takes out 

a mass of papers, sits at the bureau and selects one 

and reads it, putting the others back in his breast 

pocket.] 
[The door L. opens and a nurse bustles in, humming 

vigorously. She is a very attractive, pert, cheeky giii 



ACT III 

of 20. She has a medical chart in her hand. She 
looks round the room, finally sees Dr. Lanfear.] 

NURSE 

Oh! There you are. You the doctor.^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Looks shrewdly at her and holds out his hand for 
the chart.^ I am. 

NURSE 

Lanfear.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. 

NURSE 

Here you are. [Hands him the chart.] Couple of 
young ones — you and Dr. Cobb^ aren't you.-* [Laugh- 
ing as she looks down at him.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Examining the chart.] How long have you been 
here .f" 

NURSE 

Came yesterday — all in a hurry. Dr. Cobb sent 
for me. Said the other had to go. Mother sick — or 
something. Guess she was sick — of the job. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Looks up at her.] Why? 



WRECKAGE 

NURSE 

Oh, he's a nut. 

DR. liANFEAR 

[Quietly.] Is he? 

NURSE 

Sure. Nice one minute and cranky as cranky the 
next. Nothing right sometimes: others anything'll do. 
Keeps you guessing. My first case like this. Don't 
want any more, I can tell you. 

DR. liANFEAR 

Perhaps you'd rather not attend this one? 

NURSE 

Ohj I'll do anything once. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Whenever you want to go — 

NURSE 

[QuicJcly.] I don't want to go — just yet. Rather 
funny for a change. Didn't know there was anything 
like him, believe me. We live and learn. Laughs one 
minute and wants to jump out of the window the next. 
Never have a dull moment with that sort. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Where have you worked before? 



ACT III 

NUESE 

All over. Women mostly. They're bad enough — 
but himl Oh! help! 

DR. LANFEAR 

What's your name? [Marking the cha^t.] 

NURSE 

Jolliffe. " Jolly " some of them call me. [Laughs.] 
Fresh, aren't they.^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Hands the chart back.] Give him that as soon as 
he comes in, Miss Jolliffe. 

NURSE 

Sure. Never had a "dope" case before. Lots of 
'em, they tell me. [Settling doxvn for a long talk.] 
Why, there was one Dr. Cobb told me of — funny little 
chap, Dr. Cobb, isn't he — the fellow had been — 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Rising and closing the discussion.] Let me know if 
you're dissatisfied. I don't want unwilling people work- 
ing for me. 

NURSE 

Oh, I'm willing all right. Only it does give you the 
jumps at first. Daresay I'll like it after a bit. It's all 
in a life. 

-{:i57:> 



WRECKAGE 



DR. LANFEAE 



That will do. 



NURSE 

[Cheerfully.] Right you are. 
[Goes out L. singing.] 
" Dancing teacher tell me how you dance the fox-trot 
Ye got to watch your step ! " 
[Mrs. Lanfear comes in through the windows.] 
[Dr. Lanfear goes to her and greets her.] 



DR. lanfear 



You got my wire.'' 



MRS. lanfear 



Yes. 



DR. LANFEAR 

There's not very much doing so I thought I'd run 
down for a couple of days. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

He's so much better. 



I know. 



DR. LANFEAR 

I've seen the chart. 



MRS. LANFEAR 

He is still very nervous and irritable. But yesterday 
he was quite rational for a long time. Talked reason- 
ably. All his old ambitions came back then. He talked 

-C158:)- 



ACT III 

enthusiastically about what he intends doing. He's go- 
ing to join you in your work. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Smiling.l Study medicine? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Smiling too.^ No. Your work against drugs. 



DR. I^NFEAR 



Oh. 



MRS. LAX FEAR 

He wants to lecture on his experiences: go before 
the various legislatures and persuade them to do some- 
thing for the sufferers. Then he wants to have a hos- 
pital endowed for unfortunate drug-takers, with you in 
charge. 

DR. LANFEAR 

He's going to be quite busy. 

MRS. liAXFEAR 

I love to hear him talk like that. He seems more like 
he was then and I can't believe he was ever like — like 
— that. When he exhausts himself talking and im- 
agining and planning, the re-action comes and his de- 
pression is terrible. Has no hope — flash in the pan — 
can't be cured. When he gets abusive and unmanage- 
able I leave him and send in Dr. Cobb. He really needs 
you when he's like that. 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAR 

\^Cheerfully.^ Don't worry. They're stages in the 
recovery. I've seen them all. Going to revolutionise 
the world one minute, they're so strong: ready to die 
the next they're so weak. He gets plenty of air? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Cobb takes him out twice a day. He's been splendid. 
Never relaxed since you've been away day or night. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Young Cobb's all right. Well, to-day the crisis ought 
to come. The last of the poison should disappear. 
Then we'll have very little to worry about. For- 
tunately he had nothing organically wrong. He'd taken 
so much of the stuff that it tied up all his organs and 
kept them from disease. [Smiles.] That was through 
not being a piker. Ten grains a day and he might have 
snuffed out long ago. Forty grains saved him. But he 
had a narrow squeak here. [Touches his head.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Fearfully.] Insanity? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Nods.] I thought he had a " wet-brain " at first. 
[Smiles.] He's even preserved that. After to-day it 
will be entirely in his own hands whether the cure will 
be permanent or not. 



ACT III 

MRS. LANFEAR 

{^Anxiously.] What do you think? 

DR. LANFEAR 

It ought to be. We'll start him talking law presently. 
Get his mind doing what it used to. Then I'll take him 
to a big trial and see what that does when he hears 
younger men doing what he excelled at. If I can get 
his brain working as it did before he inflamed it with 
drugs then, in my opinion, he'll never go back to them. 
In a few days you can put any drug within his reach and 
he won't touch it. I am not sure that you couldn't do 
that now. The sight of it would nauseate him. When 
I am sure he is in no more danger I intend to make him 
go down into the places he frequented and meet the 
people he used to associate with. If there is any lin- 
gering desire left the sight of them will destroy it. No 
clean man longs for dirt. It offends him. When he 
is clean he'll run from filth. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

What suffering he's gone through. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Of course. There's no physical pain that approaches 
deprival of drugs from a confirmed addict. His body is 
a prison of pain. In a few days he will hardly believe 
he's ever gone through it. We forget pain just as 
quickly as we forget pleasure. And then, remember. 



WRECKAGE 

he was in a constant condition of misery when he was 
taking drugs. They all are, and they have nothing to 
look forward to except more drugs. Now he looks for- 
ward to being cured. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

You have worked a miracle. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Laughs.] I mustn't boast. After all it was a 
family affair, [Walks away to windows and looks out.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Now that's over I have something very pleasant to 
tell you. Kate is here, 

DR. XANFEAR 

[Turning quickly.] Here? Where? Out there? 
[Pointing to garden.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

They've taken a house on the bluff. I saw her this 
morning and told her the train you were coming in by. 
She said she would be over this afternoon, 

DR. LANFEAR 

This afternoon? Why didn't she meet the train? 
Nice thing. Keep me waiting like this. Have you seen 
the old man? 



ACT III 

MRS. LANFEAB 

No. He can't have any objection to you now, can 
he? 

DR. LANFEAR 

We don't care whether he has or not. The day of 
parents controlling the action of grown-up children is 
past. What right have they to interfere ? They've 
lived their lives, haven't they? Very well, let the chil- 
dren live theirs. They've got to some day. 

MRS. LANFEAB 

But you wouldn't hurt me? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Of course not. But then you're not a bit like a 
mother. You're too sensible to make a fuss ; you're a 
friend. But old man Burrows ! [Suddenly.] I don't 
believe Kate is his child at all. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

What? 

DR. LANFEAR 

She's her mother's child — and her mother likes me 
and approves of the marriage. That's all that matters 
to either of us. I'll marry Kate as soon as she'll marry 
me. 

-C163:}- 



WRECKAGE 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Why not wait a little? Don't force things. When 
Mr. Burrows sees the change in your father he may not 
oppose you any more. There'll be no reason to. 

DR. LANFEAR 

If he does, all well and good. If he doesn't, we'll 
marry just the same and invite him to the wedding. 
[Laughs.] That would do him good. [Restlessly.] 
Why doesn't she come ? She can't be very anxious to see 
me. I've been here at least ten minutes. How far 
away do they live? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Not far, a few minutes. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Will you do something for me? Go round and tell 
Kate I'm here — waiting — and very angry she didn't 
meet the train. [Taking her to windows.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

But suppose I meet Mr. Burrows? 

DR. lANFEAR 

Bring him along, too — and her mother. Bring the 
whole family. Since we're going to be neighbours we 
may as well be neighbourly. Come along. 
[Takes her down and they walk out through windows.] 



ACT III 

Whatever you do, bring Kate, Show me where the 
house is? 

[Disappears to R. in garden.^ 
[Enter Nurse L., quicldy.'] 

NURSE 

I say, doctor — Oh! [Loohs around the room.^ 
Where are you? 
[Satisfies herself he is not in the room, goes out L. 

saying.l 

He was here a minute ago. I was talking to him. 
Shall I run round and find him? 

THE PATIENT 

[Outside the door irritahli/.] No. Let him find me. 
[He comes into the room. The change in the man is 
marvellous. He is erect of figure and clear of eye. 
The commonness has gone from his speech. It has 
noxv something of the authority and dignity of the 
once-great laxvyer. He is dressed in a well-cut lounge 
suit. Except for the deathly pallor of his face and 
the intense nervous irritability of his manner he looks 
to all intents and purposes cured. He has entirely re- 
covered the use of his poisoned arm and carries it 
freely without a sling. He sits on the deep lounge 
and picks up a magazine from the table near by.^ 

NURSE 

[Bustling in after him and shiitting the door noisily.^ 
I can find him all right. Shall I search the garden? 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIEKT 

No^ and kindly go away. 

NURSE 

My! what a temper we're in. I'd hate to have a dis- 
position like you. Here — wait a minute. [Suddenly 
remembers something and hurries out L., leaving the 
door open.^ 

THE PATIENT 

[Flings the magazine away, rises and lounges over to 
the windows.^ 

NURSE 

[Hurrying in with two pills and a glass of water; she 
closes the door.'\ Here we are. Two nice ones this 
time. [Joining him at the rvindows."] 

THE PATIENT 

[Turns abruptly from the windows and goes down to 
ottoman and sits.] I don't want them. 

NURSE 

[Following him.] Don't be naughty now. 

THE PATIENT 

[Angrily.] Take them away. [His fingers clasping 
nervously.] 

NURSE, 

[Coaxing.] You're not going to get nasty over your 
last dose, are you.'' 

-C166> 



ACT III 



THE PATIENT 



[Turns quickly and looks at her, brightening wp.] 
The last? 



NURSE 



Sure. The doctor's marked your charts " Two pills. 
No more." 

THE PATIENT 

[Breathlessly.'} Will I be cured after those? 
[Points to the pills.] 

NURSE 

I suppose so. We all hope so. 

THE PATIENT 

No more waking me up every hour of the night."* 

NURSE 

Every half-hour last night. And well I know it. No 
more of that. If the doctor says " no more/' he means 
"no more/' judging by the little I saw of him. He 
knows his own mind or I'm no judge. Not a smile in 
him. My, he's the serious one. Here ! [Holds up the 
pills.] Down they go! 
[The Patient swallows the pills and drinks some water. 

The Nurse takes the glass from him, puts it on the 

table and sits comfortably on the lounge as though 

preparing for quite a long stay.] 



WRECKAGE 

NURSE 

What would you like me to do? Talk to you or read 
to you? 

THE PATIENT 

I'd like you to go out of the room. 

NURSE 

Is that so? Who's going to watch you then? 

THE PATIENT 

I don't want to be watched. 

NURSE 

I've got my orders. You'll have to put up with me 
till Dr. Cobb comes in. Sorry. 

THE PATIENT 

Then please keep quiet. [Takes a book from table 
and looks at the illustrations.] 

NURSE 

[Polishing her nails on her sleeve and critically ex- 
amining the cuticle.] Aren't we peevish! I never knew 
shooting a little powder into people made them like you. 
Many's the time I've done it^ too. 

THE PATIENT 

[Looks up: thinks; turns round slowly and looks at 
her.] You've done it? 

-C168> 



ACT III 

NURSE 

[Holding her hand arcay and looking at the polish on 
her nails.l My, yes. Often. 

THE PATIENT 

[Drops the booh on the floor, moves along the ottoman 
and faces her: his eyes have brightened with a new in- 
terest.] How much could ye take? Eh? How many 
grains at once? 

NURSE 

[Indignantly.] Me take? 7 never took it. But I've 
shot it into other people over and over again. They all 
seemed to like it. Kept them quiet. None of them ever 
took on the way you do sometimes. [Laughs.] You 
must have had a skinful in your time. 

THE PATIENT 

[Nods excitedly.] I have. I could take more than 
any one. I have taken forty grains in a day ! Think 
of it! Forty! And hypodermically, too! 

NURSE 

My ! what a waste. Great strong man like you. 
Ought to have been ashamed of yourself. 

THE PATIENT 

Haven't you ever tried it? [Insinuatingly.] 

NURSE 

No — and I'm not going to. 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIENT 

[Thinks: twitches nervously.] Have you got a hypo- 
dermic-syringe of your own? 

NURSE 

Of course I have. Always carry one — on duty. 

THE PATIENT 

[Gets right to the edge of the ottoman: whispers.] 
Got any morphine.'* 

NURSE 

A little. [Suspiciously.] Why? 

THE PATIENT 

Let me look at it. 

NURSE 

What for? 

THE PATIENT 

[Now quite excited; his eyes dance; his fingers lock 
and unlock. He keeps control of his voice, which is re- 
assuring, smooth and crafty.] I'd like to see it. It 
means nothing to me now. Nothing. I'm cured. 
You've given me my last dose^ haven't you? Let me 
look at it. 

NURSE 

[Rising: rather frightened hut quite determined.] 
No, I won't. 

THE PATIENT 

[Hising and standing over her.] Just the syringe. 
Let me see it. Just a look. Please. It seems yeairs 



ACT III 

since I've seen one. Come. There's no harm in looking, 
is there .^ 

NURSE 

l^TaJcing out the hypodermic-syringe unmillingly .^ I 
don't like this. There it is. 

[The Patient stretches out his hands eagerly for it.^ 

NURSE 

You're not to touch it. [Holding it away.'\ 

THE PATIENT 

Of course not. Why should I .-* 
[The Nurse begins to put it 6acfc.] 

THE PATIENT 

[Quickly.'] Don't put it away. Don't. Keep it in 
your hand. 

NURSE 

Now look here — 

THE PATIENT 

I want to prove to myself how strong my will is ! 
That I'm really cured. [Reaches for it.'\ 

NURSE 

[Putting her hand behind her back.^ Keep your 
hands off. 

THE PATIENT 

All right. [Pause.] Show me the morphine. 

-ciTi:}- 



WRECKAGE 

NURSE 

The idea ! I'll not do anything of the kind. What 
good would it do you? 

THE PATIENT 

Show me some. It can't hurt me. I hate it now. I 
wouldn't touch it if you were to put it down there be- 
fore me. 

NURSE 

Well, I'm not going to. I wouldn't trust you very 
far. What are your eyes dancing for? And look at 
your fingers. You're getting all worked up. I'm ofF. 
[Starts for door L.] 

THE PATIENT 

[Stops her.'\ Show me some morphine. Just a look. 

NURSE 

Don't be silly. [Trying to pass him.^ 

THE PATIENT 

[Stopping her.] I only want to look at it. That's 
all. Please. 

NURSE 

I wish I hadn't spoken about it. [Takes out box and 
opens it.] There. [Watches the man looking at the 
powder as if it were some mysterious magic thing; there 
is hunger and thirst and desire in his eyes.] You're a 
funny one, you are. 



ACT III 



THE PATIENT 



[Trembling with excitement, points to the syringe.'] 
To think of the misery that little instrument can cause. 
[Then with complete change of tone.] And imagine 
the happiness — the ecstasy, the — the — [Suddenly.] 
Put some in this — [Lifts up the glass in which there 
is still some water.] 

NURSE 

I will not. 

THE PATIENT 

Do what I tell you. 

NURSE 

I've had enough of this. [Again tries to pass him.] 

THE PATIENT 

[Steps right in front of her; there is an ugly look in 
his eyes, a tone of command in his voice.] Put some in 
here, my dear. Shove it in. A quarter-grain. That's 
all. Go on. I want to see it melt in the water. Be- 
come part of it. [He is moist and clammy with nervous 
intensity.] I want to satisfy myself I really am cured. 
I want to watch the stuff in the water! See it dissolve. 
Put it in. Do as I tell you. 

NURSE 

[Thoroughly alarmed.] You'll get me into trouble if 
the doctor comes in. 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIENT 

Put it in. 
[The Nurse shakes some of the powder into the glass 
and stops. The Patient motions her to put in more. 
In her nervousness she empties almost the entire box- 
ful into the water.'] 

NURSE 

[Angry.] Now see what you've done. Wasted al- 
most the lot. 

THE PATIENT 

[Watching it in the water fiendishly.] Stir it with 
the syringe. 

NURSE 

You're crazy. 

THE PATIENT 

[Commandingly.] Stir it. [She stirs it with the 
syringe.] Now fill the syringe. 

NURSE 

No, I won't. 

THE PATIENT 

You will. 

NURSE 

I won't. Let me go or I'll call out. 

THE PATIENT 

[Changing his tone to a coaxing one.] Then my test 
is complete — when I see you fill it, then hold it in my 
hand and know it means nothing. Fill it. 



ACT III 

NURSE 

I wish some one would come. I hate this, 

THE PATIENT 

Fill it. 

NURSE 

[Puts the syringe into the glass and fills it, "watching him 
fearfully and suspiciously.^ 

THE PATIENT 

Give it me. 

NURSE 

That I won't do. You mustn't touch it. 

« 

THE PATIENT 

[Threateningly.^ Give it me. 

NURSE 

You're the crafty one, aren't you? AVell, you're not 
going to get it from me. Dr. Cobb ! Dr. Cobb ! 

THE PATIENT 

[Grips her by the wrist, snatches the syringe, turning 
up the sleeve of his right arm, all the time standing 
between the Nurse and the door.] 

NURSE 

[Calling.] Stop it! Dr. Cobb! Dr. Lanfear! 
Help ! Stop it, will you ! 



WRECKAGE 

[^Just as The Patient is about to make the incision in 
his arm and give himself an injection. Dr. Lanfear 
comes in through the windozvs.^ 

NURSE 

[Calling out to Dr. Lanfear.] Take it away from 

him. Quick ! Take it away. 

[Dr. Lanfear hurries down to The Patient aiid takes 
the syringe from, him.^ 

[The Patient chatters and drivels to himself in an ac- 
cess of rage. His wlwle appearance is transformed. 
He is once again the drug-fiend craving for the poi- 
son.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

[To The Patient holding out the syringe.] Where 
did you get this? 

NURSE 

[Pressing her ivrist that was twisted by The Patient 
in the struggle, to her face: half -crying, half -laughing, 
wholly hysterical.] From — from me. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Turning to her.] From you? 

NURSE 

Yes. Grabbed it out of my hand. Twisted my wrist 
until I had to let it go. Look. [Shows him her wrist.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Empties the syriiige into the glass.] What's in it? 



ACT III 

NURSE 

Morphine. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[^Looks at her in aviazement.^ What? 

NURSE 

He said he wanted to see how strong he was. Got me 
to show him the syringe first! Then to put some mor- 
phine in tlie glass — got me so nervous I spilt the boxful 
into it. See? Then he said: "Fill it," he said, and 
when I filled it he snatched it out of my hand. Ask 
him ! Crazy — that's what he is. Dippy. Nice wrist 
I've got. Look at it. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Angrily.'] Why did you take out the syringe or the 
morphine? You know the kind of case this is. 

NURSE 

We were talking about them and he asked to see them. 

DR. LANFEAR 

You're a danger in a house, young woman. You've no 
more right to have a hypodermic-syringe than he has 
with a loaded revolver. 

NURSE 

The idea! Why not, I'd like to know? I've always 
had it. Never had any trouble before. Crazy fool, 
that's what he is. He wants a man round to handle 



WRECKAGE 

him! Give him a good beating; that's what he wants. 
The strong brute. Look at my wrist. [Shozvs it again.] 

DR. LANFEAB 

You pack up and go. 

THE PATIENT 

It wasn't her fault. I made her do it. 

NURSE 

And he did, too. But don't make any mistake. I'm 
going. I wouldn't stay here with him for anything you'd 
offer me. He ought to be tied up; that's what he ought 
to be. 

DR. LAN FEAR 

You've said quite enough. The time will come when 
no nurse will be allowed to carry one of those things nor 
to have any drug upon her. It is a menace to any house 
she may be brought into. 

NURSE 

The sooner the better, / say, if that's the way some 
people behave. [Crosses to door L., changes her tone 
and appeals to Dr. Lanfear.] Are you going to get 
me into trouble over this.'' 

DR. LANFEAR 
I shall certainly advise against you being put on any 
drug-case again. It's one more instance of the danger 



ACT III 

of allowing any one but a doctor to use a hypodermic- 
syringe on a patient. You're not so much to blame as 
the system. But you'd better be careful how you use 
one again. 

NURSE 

Well, what about him! Who's going to blame hi7n, 
I'd like to know? 

DR. LANFEAR 

That will do. 

NURSE 

I wish you joy of that. [Points to The Patient.] 
Glad to see the last of him, I can tell you. No more 
" dopes " for me. Nice wrist he's given me. 

[Ej:it L.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Takes the glass containing the drug to the windows 
and empties it into the garden, walks back and puts the 
glass back on the table, speaks very quietly to The 
Patient.] I'm sorry you did that. 

THE PATIENT 

[Angrily.^ Are ye? I'm damn sorry you came in 
when you did. 

DR. LANFEAR 

It's such a pity when you're so near the end. 

THE PATIENT 

Near what end? 



WRECKAGE 

DE. LANFEAR 

The end of your cure. 

THE PATIENT 

\^In a frenzy.'] I don't want to be cured. To hell 
with your cure. If I'd known what I had to go through 
I'd never have begun it. I'd have walked out of your 
damned office. I wis.h I had, too. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[^Gently.] Don't say that. 

THE PATIENT 

I do say it. I've been on the rack. It's seemed like 
a hundred years. Every day has been a year. Every 
hour full of horrible minutes. Oh! what I've gone 
through. Why didn't you turn me out instead of start- 
ing your blasted cure on me ? At least I had some happy 
times before I met you. I have had nothing but torture 
since. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Goes to him and tries to soothe him.] You had noth- 
ing but torture when you were taking drugs, had you.'' 
It's nearly over. 

THE PATIENT 
Nearly over? \ Laughs a brutal derisive laugh.] 
Nearly over! My body is crying out for it now. 
That's how good your cure is. 

-C180> 



ACT III 



DR. LANFEAB 



Only because you gave way to that momentary tempta- 
tion. To-morrow it will mean nothing to you. You re- 
membered all the old symptoms directly you saw the 
syringe. You felt the craving for an injection. 

THE PATIENT 

[Breaking in.'] And I feel it now. And I always 
rvill feel it. You and your cure! [Contemptuously.] 
You'll never cure me. 

DR. LANFEAR 

You're much nearer it than you think. 

THE PATIENT 

[Fiercely.'] Am I? With every bone in my body 
aching for it.'' With my head splitting through the want 
of it.'' With my muscles tense at the thought of it? 
It's throbbing here. [Touches his forehead.] With 
every beat of my pulse: " mor-phine ! mor-phine ! mor- 
phine ! " [Repeats it in syllables as though it rose and 
fell with his heart-heat.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Puts his arms around the man's shoulders.] Just a 
little more patience, a little more courage. You've been 
wonderfully plucky. You don't want to undo all our 
good work. 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIENT 

l^Sneeses convulsively, his teeth chattering.^ No, I 
don't want to. But I can't help it. [Shivers and moans 
and whines.^ I'd never have thought of it if I hadn't 
seen it. Never meant to think of it. But now I have, 
I feel I must have it. Just a little, only very little — 
just to stop the craving. Then never any more. Never 
— word of honour. 

[Dr. Lanpear shakes his head.'] 

Don't stand there shaking your head. [Murderously.'] 
I could kill ye when ye look at me like that. There's 
just ice in yer veins. Give it me! D'ye hear? Give 
it me! [Rises threateningly.] 

DR.. LANFEAR 

[Trying to quiet him.] Sssh! Don't! Don't! 

THE PATIENT 

Ye won't? 

DR.. LANFEAE 

Just one last struggle. 

THE PATIENT 

I brought ye into the world. I'll send ye out of it — 
[Takes Dr. Lanfear by the throat; they struggle for a 
few seconds. The Patient breathing heavily and giv- 
ing short, sharp guttural ejaciilations: Dr. Lanfear 
holding him by the wrists: the two men are quite tense, 
scarcely moving: suddenly The Patient relaxes his 



ACT III 

hold, goes quite limp, gasps for breath, totters, then 
leans on Dr. Lanfear, who helps him into a chair. 1 
Sorry I was — such — a brute. Sorry — my boy. 
\_Gasping.] I'm — done. Finished. All over. Ye did 
yer best. No use. Couldn't — save — me. ^Tears his 
vest open and presses his heart.] Beats — like — a 
hammer! [Trying to get his breath.'} I'd — like — to 

— see — your — mother. Just — a — word. 

DR. LANFEAR 

She'll be here in a few minutes. 

THE PATIENT 

[Looking at him with glazed eyes.} I'd like — to 
have a word — with — her — before — I — Decent 

— of ye — to — try — and save me. I wasn't worth 
it — It was no use. Too strong a hold. [Pause.] 
Years — of — starvation — too. [Pause.] The pain 

— was — too much for me, [Pause.] Lying — awake 

— at — night — gnawing and tearing at me. [Takes 
several deep breaths.] I feel sick. [Pause.] Sick as 
a dog. [Almost fainting.] Wliere's — your — mother? 

[Dr. Lanfear tries to raise him.] 

Let — me — be. Let me — stay — here. I feel so 
sick. [Sneezes. Pause.] What a muck of everything. 
[Pause.] Felt all right this morning. [Pause.] 
Thought I'd beat it. [Pause; pressing his heart.] The 
syringe did it. [Gasps.] And the sight of the powder. 
[Pause.] If I'd got through this — it would happen 



WRECKAGE 

again. [Pmise.1 Couldn't — have — done — without 
"dope." [Pause.] "Dope" to work. [Pause.] 
" Dope " to sleep. [Pause.] " Dope " when you're 
happy. [Pause.] " Dope " when you're wretched, 
[Pause.] All " dope." Rotten " dope." [Pause.] 
Once get it into you~ — never get free. [Pause.] Takes 
ye in its arms — and — winds them round ye — like 
whip-cord. [Pause.] All round me. [Pause.] Cut- 
ting — into — me. [His voice faints away. He looks 
desperately ill: his breath comes very slowly; a spasm 
of pain convulses his features; he presses both hands on 
his stomach.] 

[Enter Dr. Cobb L.] 

DR. COBB 

Hello ! 
[Dr. Lanfear motions him to go to the other side of 
The Patient; they raise him, he leans heavily on 
them.] 
What happened? He was splendid just now. 

DK. LANFEAR 

[Meaningly.] The last attack. 

DR. COBB 

[Excitedly.] Really? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Positively.] The last. Quickly. Get him to his 



room. 



<184> 



ACT III 

DR. COBB 

[To The Patient.] Steady. Hold on to yourself 
— there's a good chap, you'll be all right in a minute. 
[Takes out his handkerchief and wipes the perspiration 

from The Patient's face.] 

Now then. Come along. 
[The ttvo men move The Patient slowly toward the 

door.] 

THE PATIENT 

[To Dr. Lanfear.] I want — to see — your mother. 

DR,. LANFEAR 

I'll bring her to you. 

the patient 
[Feebly as he is led out.] I'm done. No strength in 

me. What a fool. [Pause.] I knew ye couldn't do 

it. Did your best. No good. Ye couldn't save me. 

[The three men go out L. The Patient's voice can he 
heard for some seconds after they disappear.] 

[Mrs. Lanfear appears at windows, looks in, sees the 
room is empty, turns hack and heckons. Kate Bur- 
rows joins her and they come into the room.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I'll send for him. [Rings.] He was so disappointed 
you weren't here. 

KATE 

Well, you saw all those women. 



WRECKAGE 

MES. LANFEAR 

l^Laughs.l Yes. 

KATE 

I simply couldn't get away. There was so much to 
talk about. 

MRS. I^\NFEAR 

You must make your own excuses. He expected you 
at the depot. 

[Enter Servant L.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Tell the doctor. 
[Exit Servant L.] 

KATE 

How is — ^ [Breaks off.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

My husband.'' 

KATE 

Yes. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

My son thinks it is nearly over. 

KATE 

How wonderful. 



MRS. LANFEAR 

My son is wonderful. 



ACT III 

KATE 

[Her eyes dancing with enthusiasm.^ I know he is. 
You won't mind us running away? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

Mind? Why, I'll pack for him! Go with you both 
to the wedding and see you off on your honeymoon. 
Can I do more? 

KATE 

[Impulsively embraces Mrs. Lanfear.] My father 
knows by now. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Anxiously.'] Does he? 

KATE 

[Nods.] My mother was just going in to tell him as 
I came away. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

What do you think he'll do ? 

KATE 

Bellow at the top of his voice — as he always does, 
and then give in ungraciously as he always has to — 
with me. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

I wish he wasn't so bitter against us. 



WRECKAGE 



KATE 



That doesn't cut any ice witli me. You don't sup- 
pose I am going to let a man interfere in my life, just 
because he happens to be my father, do you? 
[Mrs. Lanfear smiles and shakes her head.'] 
That sort of thing belongs to another generation. 
Men will be asking our consent before we're much older. 
We've discussed all that thoroughly. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

We? 

KATE 

Do you know I am the secretary of the " Forward- 
Woman " Propaganda ? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

No. Are you.'' 

KATE 

I am. I made my first speech last Friday. I wish my 
father had been there. Man was just a harmless un- 
necessary burden before we'd finished. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Laughing.] Really.'' 

KATE 

You may laugh, but I tell you it's wonderful to stand 
up before a lot of people and abuse a sex that has been 



ACT III 

tyrant for years — abuse it out loud with everybody 
cheering. It's great. I love to hear myself talk. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Laughing.] You don't mean a word you're saying. 

KATE 

I did — last Friday — on the platform. Of course, 
when I went all over it afterwards, alone, it did seem a 
bit flat. But at the time everything seemed real. I saw 
myself marcliing at the head of thousands of the down- 
trodden, chanting a paean of victory. 
[Dr. Lanfear walks in L. quietly, neither of the women 

see him.] 

KATE 

[Quoting.] 

" She bore us in her dreaming womb 

And laughed into the face of death; 
She laughed in her strange agony 
To give her little baby breath. 

She who then went thro' flaming hell 
To make us put into our clay 
All that there is of heaven, shall she — 
^Mother and sister, wife and fay, — 
Have no part in the world she made — 
Serf of the rainbow, Vassal flower — 
Save knitting in the afternoon 
And rocking cradles, hour by hour .'' " 
Isn't that wonderful.'' 



WRECKAGE 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Comes forward and greets Kate.] Don't let me in- 
terrupt. Go on. What is it? 

KATE 

[Shrinking into herself: dropping the "platform-man- 
ner."] It is called " A Ballad of Woman/' by Richard 
Le Gallienne. [Blushing.] Were you — ? When 
I — ? Did you hear it? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Some of it. Flaming hell and clay: Wife and fay 
and the World she made. You did it extremely well, 
too. Is there any more? 

KATE 

[Confused.] Not just now. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Anxiously to Dr. Lanfear.] Have you seen him? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. He had a wretched attack just now. The 
stupid nurse showed him a syringe — and — [Breaks 
off-] 

MRS. IAN FEAR 

Oh! 

DR. LANFEAE 

He wants to see you. 

<i9o:}. 



ACT III 

MRS. LANFEAR 



Where is he? 



DR. LANFEAR 

In his room. Don't go just yet. Cobb will tell us. 
He's passing through the last stage. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

But if he wants me. 

DR. LANFEAR 

He has all the symptoms now that I like to see in a 
patient the length of time he's been under treatment. 
[Smiles.l I think the poison is at its last gasp. I'll 
take you up to him the moment Cobb comes in. And 
now [Going to Kate and taking both of her hands.^ 
you look splendid. 

KATE 

Do U 

DR. LANFEAE 

Splendid. 

KATE 

[Laughs girlishly, turns to Mrs. Lanfear.] Of 
course, what I said doesn't apply to him. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Smiling.'] Doesn't it.'' 



WRECKAGE 

KATE 

Oh, no. He is the glorious exception. Just as most 
Christians have a pet Jew, so many suffragettes have a 
pet man, — a beyond-man. He's mine. 

MRS. LANFEAB 

Will you carry on the propaganda after marriage? 

KATE 

Of course. [To Dr. Lanfear.] You won't mind? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Mind? I love it. I'll help you with your speeches. 

KATE 
[Withdraiv'ing her hands and speaking quite coldly.'] 
You needn't, thank you ; I can do quite well enough — • 
alone. Last Friday night a man told me after the meet- 
ing I'd won him completely. 

DR. LANFEAB 

Did he? 

KATE 

He said I sent the blood right up to his head. 

DR. LANFEAB. 

Fancy that. 

KATE 

He also said he was positive I had a great future. 



ACT III 

DU. LANFEAU 

I agree with him. You've won me completely: you 
send the blood to my head often — and I'm positive of 
your future^ — with me. [Laughs.'\ 

KATE 

[Severely.] Don't scofF. 

DR. LANFEAK, 

I'm not scoffing. What a silly word. 

KATE 

Remember it's for your sake I'm trying to bring light 
and freedom and progress to woman. 

DK,. LANFEAB 

Is it? Why? 

KATE 

You roused me into doing it. 

DR. LANFEAR 

When? 

KATE 

The night you proposed. You told me I ought to do 
something. Well, I've begun. You urged me to join 
the procession of women. I've joined it. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Did / do that? 



WRECKAGE 

KATE 

Partly. You set me thinking. I'm not going to be 
any longer the idle do-nothing daughter of a rich man. 
I feel the mantle of the Liberator has fallen on me. 
I've had the " call," and I'm going to follow it. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Fine. 

KATE 

I used to sometimes hate being a woman when I saw 
men out in tlie struggle doing everything and the women 
doing notliing. We're going to alter all that. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Is that so? 

KATE 

You wait and see if we don't. When universal free- 
dom comes woman will lead, not drag along behind. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Hasn't she led all the time? 

KATE 

Indeed she hasn't. That's why the world is all wrong. 
She's been a slave. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Fancy that. [To Mrs. Lanfear.] Have you been? 

MRS. LANFEAR 

No. 



ACT III 

KATE 

What is the average home but slavery to a woman? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Don't you think many of the Propagandists will find 
the slavery of home a pleasant release from the tyranny 
of their " Propaganda " ? 

KATE 

I covered all that last Friday. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Oh, well, of course — 

KATE 

Home is all-sufficing for those who've not felt the 
" call." But we who have felt it know there's some- 
thing bigger, wider, fuller, more comprehensive and al- 
together greater for woman than being shut away within 
four walls, knitting and rocking cradles. We want to 
make laws, control 'destinies : make this old world re- 
volve on new axes. 

DR* LANFEAR 

[To Mrs. Lanfear.] I did a nice thing when I told 
her to join the procession, didn't I.'* [To Kate.] You 
don't believe woman has been doing all that for cen- 
turies. 

KATE 

No, I don't. Nor do you. She's only just begun to 
feel her power. 



WRECKAGE 



DR. LANFEAR 



There is hardly a law in force that woman hasn't 
brought some influence to bear on it. That she controls 
destinies no one will deny who knows anything of wom- 
an's influence. And with regard to the new axes on 
which the world is to turn, woman continually creates 
them when she brings children into the world. Woman 
is the mother of her people and through the child wom- 
an's voice is heard in everything great that is done. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

ITo Kate.] He's right, dear. 

KATE 

[Loftily.'} I treated all that old-fashioned stuff thor- 
oughly last Friday. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Smiling.l It must have been a wonderful speech — 
last Friday. 

KATE 

Every one who heard it said it was. Oh! I do wish 
my father had been there. [To Dr. Lanfear.] And 
you. You'd have been amazed. 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'm sure I would. To get down to commonplace 
things, what does your father think of our marriage now ? 



ACT III 

KATE 

I scorn to ask him. I've been under the yoke too 
long. The iron-heel of the parent is the first thing we're 
going to remove. 

[Enter Servant L., crosses over to Mrs. Lanfear.] 

SERVANT 

Mr. and Mrs. Burrows. 
[Mrs. Lanfear nods.] 
lExit Servant L.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

Mr. and Mrs.! [To Kate.] Eh? 

[Kate nods timidly.] 

Now's your chance. You can not only remove the 
iron-heel, but give him some of last Friday's speech; give 
him it all! 

KATE 

He'd only shout. He always bellows when he doesn't 
understand. 

DR. LANFEAR 

We'll back you up. 

KATE 

I wouldn't waste words on him. How he ever came 
to be my father is beyond me. 
[Servant shows in Mr. and Mrs. Burrows, L., and 

exit L.] 



WRECKAGE 

BURROWS 

[Coming in abruptly, nods to Mrs. Lanfear, glares 
angrily at Dr. Lanfear, then goes straight across to 
Kate.] You're here, are ye.'* 

KATE 

Looks like it, doesn't it.'' 

BURROWS 

You're a nice piece of goods, you are, an' no mistake. 

KATE 

[Scornfully. 1 Piece of goods. 

BURROWS 

So ye think to double-cross me, do yei* 

KATE 

Dvuble-cross you? 

BURROWS 

Live in me home, spend me money, an' work against 
me. Pretty cool, ain't ye.'' 

KATE 

You've no idea how your words jar. 

BURROWS 

Jar, do they? Well, you've jarred me pretty often, 
don't you make any mistake. Who filled your head with 
all this torn- fool nonsense? 

[Nodding toward Dr. Lanfear.] 
^198> 



ACT III 

Did he? [Opens out newspaper.'] Tliis is fine stuiF 
for my daughter to speak in front of a lot of silly peo- 
ple. A parcel of short-haired women who ought to be 
damn well spanked, and bloodless men who'd be better 
oiF breaking stones in the streets. 

KATE 

[^Indignantly.'] Oh! [To Dr. Lanfear.] Let us 
go. 

[Goes toward windows.] 

BURROWS 

[Turns to Dr. Lanfear.] Ye know what I think of 
you.'' If ye don't, ye ought to. What do ye mean by 
fillin' my daughter's head with tliis stuff? [Tapping 
newspaper.] 

DR. LANFEAR 

Have I? 

BURROWS 

Yes, you have, have ye! 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Laughs.] Read it out. I haven't heard it yet. 

BURROWS 

Me read it out? [Crumples up the paper and throws 
it in the fireplace.] That's the best place for that rub- 
bish. Now for the other thing I've come here about. 
My wife tells me you're going to marry whether I like 
it or not. 



WRECKAGE 

KATE 

[^Coming down.] We are. 

BURROWS 

Oh, ye are ! What do you know about him ? [Nod- 
ding at Dr. Lanfear.] Or I? Or any one else for 
that matter? 

DR. LANFEAR 

It's easy enough to find out. 

BURROWS 

Where's that father of yours? 

DR. LANFEAR, 

[Nodding toward door L.] In there. 

BURROWS 

What was he, I'd like to know, before he married your 
mother ? 

DR. LANFEAR 

One of the foremost lawyers in America. 

BURROWS 

[Taken aback for a moment.l Oh! Indeed? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Gilbert Lanfear 's name was well-known and respected 
from New York to San Francisco. 
-C200> 



ACT III 

BURROWS 

Respected, was it? Then what was he doin' workin' 
for me as a day-labourer? 

DR. LANFEAR 

That was his misfortune. 

BURROWS 

And mine, too — the drunken — 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Goes right over to him.] Stop that. The condition 
you saw my father in was not caused by drunkenness, 
but through the criminal negligence of one of my pro- 
fession. 

BURROWS 

Your profession? 

DR. LANFEAR 

Yes. He was not a drunkard. He was a victim of 
drugs. 

BURROWS 

I wondered why ye took so much interest in them. 
Have ye cured him? 

DR. LANFEAR 

We'll see presently. 

BURROWS 

Well, I'll tell ye one thing — ye can take yer drug- 
taking father somewhere else. I don't want him in my 
house. 



WRECKAGE 

BR. LANFEAR 

/ don't want him in your house* 

BURROWS 

And you let my girl alone. She can make a good 
match — with my money. 

KATE 

I've made one without it. 

BURROWS 

[To Kate.] Don't forget what I did with yer 
brother. Kicked liim out. I'd do the same with you. 

KATE 

All right. Do it now. Consider you have kicked me 
out. [To Mrs. Lanfear.] Will you let me stay here 
until we're married? 

[Mrs. Burrows goes to Kate.] 

[Mrs. Lanfear tries to speak.'] 

DR.. LANFEAR 

[To Mrs. Lanfear.] Wait a minute. [To Bur- 
rows.] What is your real objection to me? That I 
haven't enough money? I'll make it. Or is it because 
of my father? 

BURROWS 

Yes, it is, if ye want to know. I don't mind i/ou so 
much. I could make something of ye if ye did what I 



ACT III 

told ye. But I've not forgotten what your father said 
to me. I'm not going to have an insulting drug-taking 
loafer around me. 

KATE 

[To Dr. Lanfear.] Tell him to go. [Indignantly.'\ 

DR. LANFEAB. 

[Tries to quiet her.l Sssh! 
[Mrs. Lanfear joiiis them with the object of smoothing 
out the quarrel.] 

BURROWS 

[To Dr. Lanfear.] She's riglit. You don't want me 
here, and I don't want you in my home. [To Mrs. 
Burrows.] Come along. 

MRS. BURROWS 

[With an effort to her husband.] You have no right 
to object to Dr. Lan fear's father. 

BURROWS 

[Amazed.] Haven't I.'' 

MRS. BURROWS 

No. Your daughter is the child of a drug-taker. 

BURROWS 

What? Do you mean to say that I — ? 

MRS. BURROWS 

/ was a drug-taker once. 



W R E C K A G'E 

BURROWS 

l^Pause: in astonishment.^ You were? 

MRS. BURROWS 

[Nods.] Do you remember after Kate was born I 
didn't leave my bed for nearly a year? 

BURROWS 

Remember it? I should think I do. Ye always had 
a bunch of doctors around ye. Bled me fine, they did. 

MRS. BURROWS 

Do you know what was the matter with me ? 

BURROWS 

Nerves, the doctors said. Want of fresh air and ex- 
ercise, I'd call it. 

MRS. BURROWS 

I was sick, almost to death, through taking morphine. 
[General movement as the effect of her statement is 

clearly shown on all the others.] 

For a month before Kate was bom, and for some little 
time afterwards, I was continually under its influence. 
That was why I was ill for a year. I was fighting the 
habit just as his father is now. 

BURROWS 

Well, that's a nice thing. Why didn't ye tell me ? 



ACT III 

MRS. BURROWS 

There are many things I've never told you because I 
knew you could neither understand nor sympathise with 
them any more than you can understand or sympathise 
with Kate now — j ust at the critical period of her life. 
You're not an understanding man — about your depend- 
ents. Thai's why I didn't tell you. I am only telling 
you now because of something Dr. Lanfear said — that 
his father's downfall was due to a doctor. Mine was the 
fault — the criminal fault of a nurse. 

DR.. LANFEAB 

[^Goes to }ier.'\ A nurse? 

MRS. BURROWS 

Yes. I have often been on the point of telling you 
when I've heard you speaking against doctors and nurses 
being allowed to givQ drugs as they do. 

BURROWS 

[Angry and disgusted.'\ You a drug-taker. And I 
never knew it. [Under his breath.] Damn my soul. 

MRS. BURROWS 

[To Dr. Lanfear.] As it came near my time I was 
in dreadful pain. Day and night. The only time I 
could sleep was when the doctor gave me an opiate or 
an injection. I didn't know what he gave me, but I felt 
it must have been something dangerous, since he Avould 



WRECKAGE 

let no one else give it to me^ and he would only inject 
when I could bear the pain no longer. Often it would 
wear off in the middle of the night and I'd suffer and 
moan until he came in the morning. He was very strict : 
very conscientious. He only gave it me twice a day and 
never increased the amount. 

DR.. LANFEAU 

How do you know? 

MRS. BURROWS 

It came out afterwards. 

DR. LANFEAR 

If you didn't know what he was giving you, and he 
kept such a strict regard for the amount, how did you 
contract the habit.'' 

MRS. BURROWS 
One night a new nurse came. I woke bolt, staring 
awake in dreadful pain at about four in the morning. 
The nurse was asleep. My crying and moaning woke 
her. She gave me something to drink. In a little while 
I slept. Every time I woke afterwards in pain she did 
the same — she would give me what looked like a glass 
of plain water and in a little wliile the pain would fade 
away and I would sleep. How I thanked God that 
nurse had been sent to me. [Pause.'] After Kate was 
born I wasn't expected to live. It was only my desire 
to live, for my baby's sake, that kept life in me, the doc- 



ACT III 

tor said. In a little while I began to get stronger. The 
pain left me. But in its place came a terrible craving — 
I didn't know for what. My whole body seemed to be 
crying out for something. The doctor was puzzled. No 
treatment seemed to help me. [To Burrows.] It was 
then he called in other doctors. 

[Burrows grunts.] 

They were all as mystified as he was. I was, appar- 
ently, organically healthy, but my nerves drove me almost 
frantic. I had no actual physical pain — yet my whole 
system ached and my mind was filled with the most 
horrible thoughts. When I slept I was haunted by 
still more terrible dreams. [Pause.] I hated my baby. 
Hated it. 
[Kate takes her mother's hand. Mrs. Burrows pauses 

a moment, then turns to Burrow.] 

Do you recall that I wouldn't allow her to be brought 
near me.'' 

BURROWS 

[Gruffly.] I remember something. I was very busy 
at the time. 

MRS. BURROWS 

One morning they brought a new doctor — a nerve 
specialist. He was much younger than the others. I 
trusted and believed in him the moment I saw him. His 
manner was different. Instead of asking questions he 
seemed to make up his mind instantly what the real 
trouble was. I had had a fearful night. The bed was 



WRECKAGE 

soaked through with perspiration. I thought I was' 
going to die. [To Burroavs.] I sent for you. You 
came — long afterwards — towards evening. 

BURROWS 

Very likely. You were always sending for me then. 
False alarms. 

MRS. BURROWS 

[After a pause. 1 The new doctor took an entirely 
different view from the others. It was not the prostra- 
tion of maternity, in his opinion. He said I liad all the 
symptoms of morphine-poisoning. My own doctor dis- 
agreed with him, saying I'd had none for over two 
months — since a few days after Kate's birth. The 
specialist asked him how much he had given me before. 
He told him half-a-grain twice a day. That did not 
account for my condition. He, too, was at a loss to 
understand it. He evidently suspected I had been 
taking it myself. He questioned me closely. I told 
him of the waking at night and the misery I suffered. 
Then of the coming of the new nurse and the quieting 
of the pain after she would give me something to drink. 
He asked to see the nurse, but she had left soon after 
my confinement. He turned to the other doctors and 
said he would make no diagnosis until the nurse was 
found. He would stake his professional reputation on 
the theory that I was suiFering from the deprivation of 
morphine. Next day the nurse was brought to my bed- 
side. Under the examination of the specialist she ad- 



ACT III 

mitted that from the time she took charge of me she had 
kept me in a condition of coma through morphine , con- 
tinually increasing the amount until she had been giving 
me two grains dissolved in water. 

DR. LANFEAR 

What did the specialist do? 

MRS, BURROWS 

He saved me. For nearly a year I was bed-ridden. 
He kept building up my constitution to fight the dis- 
ease. 

DR. LANFEAR 

Did he give you any morpliine? 

MRS. BURROWS 

No. After the craving had gone he sent me abroad. 
I travelled continually for another six months. 

BURROWS 

Thousands of dollars it cost. I'd like to wring that 
nurse's neck. 

MRS. BURROWS 

When I came home I was entirely free. Since then 
I've never had the slightest desire for it. 

DR. LANFEAR 

l^Smiles.'] We have gone a little ahead since those 
days. I will undertake to destroy all craving in the 

< 209 y 



WRECKAGE 

most hardened addict within a few weeks. You must 
have suffered terribly. 

MRS. BUKROWS 

[^o<i*.] And so must your father's sufferings have 
been terrible. [To Burrows.] In telling you of mine 
I ask you to show a little charity toward him. 

BURROWS 

[LooJcs at his wife for several moments: then quite 
gently."} You should have told me at the time. 

MRS. BURROWS 

I was ashamed. I seemed to myself to be some un- 
clean thing. 

[Dr. Lanfear looks at his mother significantly.} 
[Pleading to Burrows.] Don't despise his father be- 
cause some one put a poison into his blood. Pity him. 
His son will restore him just as the specialist cured me. 
If you hate him because of that curse, then you should 
hate me. I don't think you do that. Do you.'' [She is 
now quite emotional.] 

BURROWS 

[Puts his hand on her shoulder.} Ssh! Ssh! Ssh! 

[Mrs. Burrows cries.} 

Here, stop that. No need to cry. I mayn't have been 
very understandin' or sympathisin' with ye, but we've 
got along all right, haven't we? Ye should have told 
me about it. I might have looked at some things dif- 



ACT III 

ferently. [To Dr. Lanfear.] Lots of us blunder all 
along in the dark with our women-folk. We worry if 
they tell us things and raise Cain if they don't tell us. 
Ye're a poor weak lot anyway — 

KATE 

[Indignantly.] Not the woman of to-day I 

BURROWS 

[Laughing good-naturedly and patting his "wife's 
hand.] Well the woman of yesterday was. Eh, 
mother? [Turns suddenly to Dr. Lanfear.] Say! 
Can I see your father? 

DR. LANFEAR 

I'm afraid not. I'll find out. 
[Exit L.] 

BURROWS 

[Looking curiously at his wife.l Morphine, eh? 
What do ye think o' that? You're the last in the world 
I'd have thought — I'll never have a nurse in my house 
again. Not me. I wonder one of 'em hasn't started. 
[Turns on Kate.] you on it. 

KATE 

Don't be absurd. 

BURROWS 
[Suddenly.] Do you know, I think that young man's 
goin' to make money. If he can do in a few weeks 



WRECKAGE 

what a specialist took a yeai' over, what's goin' to stop 

him? If he advertises enough they'll simply 1*011 up. 

If he'd listen to me he'd make a fortune. I like liis 

looks. 

[^The door L. opens and Dr. Lanfear brings in his 
father. Although deathly white the man is com- 
pletely transformed. He has changed into an indoor 
suit, has complete control of his movements. All the 
weakness and terror has gone. He carries himself 
erect. His manner is polished and courteous. He is 
cured.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Goes to her husband and looks at him in amazement; 
joy comes into her eye and into her voice as she turns to 
her son.] Is he — ? 

DR. lanfi:ar 
[Nods.l Completely. 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[With a cry of happiness.] Oh! He will never — .'' 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Decidedly.] Never. [To his father.] Will you? 

THE PATIENT 

[Smiling.] Of course not. "Wliy should I ? You 
don't burn your hand in the same fire ttoice, do you? 
[He is about to continue when he sees Burrows. He 
turns to Dr. Lanfear.] Do I know — ? 



ACT III 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Introducing.] Mr. and Mrs. Burrows — Miss Bur- 
rows. 

THE PATIENT 

[Bows to Mrs. Burrows and Kate; holds out his hand 
to Burrows.] Charmed. 

BURROWS 

[Looks at him in absolute astonishment: hesitates, 
then grips his hand.] Remember me.^ 

THE PATIENT 

Ought I } 

BURROWS 

You ought to. 

THE PATIENT 

Really? I beg your pardon. 

BURROWS 

You worked for me once. 

[Dr. Lanfear signs to Burrows to stop.] 

THE PATIENT 

Where ? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Interposing.] Never mind. 

THE PATIENT 

[To Dr. Lanfear.] Very likely I did. I've done 
all sorts of awful things that seem a little hazy now. 



WRECKAGE 

BURROWS 

Don't you remember meeting me in your son's office 
one night when you were down on your luck, and abusin' 
me and wantin' to lick me? 

THE PATIENT 

[Smiling.] Oh! Was that you? I thought I'd 
dreamt it. [Laughs.] "Cast-iron" Burrows, eh? 

BURROWS 

That's me. 

THE PATIENT 

I'm afraid I was a little rude. I'm so sorry. 

BURRiOWS 

You look very different now. 

THE PATIENT 

I am. [Pointing to Dr. Lanfear.] He did it. 

BURROWS 

You've ctertainly got some son. 

THE PATIENT 

[Smiling.] Haven't I? 

BURROWS 

[Suddenly to his 'wife.] We're in the way. [To 
Dr. Lanfear.] Drop in this evening if ye've nothin' 
better to do. I'll give ye a good cigar an' we can have 
a talk. 



ACT III 

DR. LANFEAR 



After dinner? 



BtTRROWS 

Dine if ye like. 7.30 sharp. Will ye? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[LooArs at Kate.] Yes. 

BURROWS 

[In Dr. Lanfear's ear.] Ye're all right. Ye'll make 
some of them high-priced fellows look like 30 cents. 
Show him to them. [Points to The Patient.] Pity 
ye haven't got a photo of him as he was! Before and 
after the treatment! See? An' to think they kept my 
wife dangling for a year! Damn robbers. [To Mrs. 
Burrows, patting her hand.] Come along. [To 
Kate.] Goin' with us? 



Yes. 



KATE 



BURROWS 



Very nice of ye. Much obliged. Say — cut out that 
platform-stufF. Ye don't know how silly a parcel o' 
women look bellowing about their rights. [To Dr. 
Lanfear.] You give her a flea in her ear. 



KATE 



[To Dr. Lanfear.] Really, he's impossible. 



WRECKAGE 



DR. LANFEAR 



[Talcing Kate to his father.'] We're going to be mar- 
ried. 

THE PATIENT 

[Looks long at her: takes her hand in both of his.] 
Take care of him. He's worth it. 

KATE 

[Quite moved.] You may be sure of that. I love 
him. 

THE PATIENT 

Will it be soon? 

KATE 

[Quietly.] Yes. Quite soon. 

THE PATIENT 

Good luck. 
[Dr. Lanfear takes Kate over to Burrows, who is 
talking to Mrs. Lanfear and Mrs. Burrows. Bur- 
rows, Kate and Dr. Lanfear go to door L. Dr. 
Lanfear opens it.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Stretches out both her hands to Mrs. Burrows and 
takes her hands.] Thank you. I know what it must 
have meant to you to tell it. 
[Mrs. Burrows just presses Mrs. Lanfear's hands, 

wipes her eyes, joins the others at the door, they all 



ACT III 

go out talking, leaving only Mrs. Lanfear and The 
Patient in the room.] 

[Puts her hands on her husband's arm and looks wp 
at him.] It seems too wonderful to believe. 

THE PATIENT 

Doesn't it! All gone. Sane again. Clean again. 
A human being again. 

MRS. I/ANFEAE 

[Arranges cushions on Chesterfield.] Sit here. 

THE PATIENT 

No. I want to move about. [Strides around the 
room.] Feel the strength of my muscles! The grip of 
my brain. The demon has left me. I'll sleep to-night. 
Dreamless sleep. Tired-out sleep. A child's sleep. 
I'll follow the sun all day to-morrow and plan things. 
[With a great breath of relief.] Oh! Life's good, isn't 
it.? 

[Dr. Lanfear comes in L.] 

MRS. LANFEAR 

[Goes to Dr. Lanfear and looks in awe at her hus- 
hand.] It's as though some miracle had happened. 

DR. LANFEAR 

[Smiling.] It has. 



WRECKAGE 

THE PATIENT 

How did you do it? A little while ago in here I was 
a raving maniac — talking of death. How have you 
done it? 

DR. LANFEAR 

That was your last attack. All the poison is gone. 
You're free of it. 

THE PATIENT 

I know I am. I feel I am. Everything looks differ- 
ent to me. I think differently. [Thinks a moment.^ 
Can I stay like this? Always? 

ER. LANFEAR 

I am sure you can. 

MRS. LANT'EAB 

Will he ever want to go back? 

DR. LANFEAR 

[To The Patient.] Do you now? 

THE PATIENT 

Certainly not. 

DR. LANFEAR 

If you had all the drugs in the world right witliin 
your reach would you touch them? 

THE PATIENT 

I don't think so. [Shudders.'] Do you? 
-C218> 



I'll try you. 
You needn't. 



ACT III 



DR. LAN FEAR 



THE PATIENT 



DR. LANFEAR 

[^Points to the hypodermic-syringe and morphine box 
left by the nurse on the table.] There. Do you want 
it? 

THE PATIENT 

[Gives a moue of disgust.] No, I don't want it. 
[Shudders.] Take the filthy stuff away. It cut twenty 
years out of my life ! It will never cost me twenty sec- 
onds again. [Strides strongly up and down.] 
[Dr. Lanfear and his mother look significantly at each 

other.] 

I'll soon be in the fight again. In the thick of it. 
Will they remember Lanfear the jurist.^ 

DR. LANFEAR 

Many do remember. 

THE PATIENT 

[Sadly.] A new generation has sprung up since. 

DR. LANFEAR 

In the law one is always young. 

THE PATIENT 

[Turns with a keen flash of memory to his wife.] Do 
you remember the Dodge Case? 



WRECKAGE 

[Mrs, Lanfear nods.] 
You sat all through it. 
[She nods again.] 
I got him off. 

[Mrs. Lanfear smiles and nods.] 
And he was guilty all the time. Absolutely guilty ! 
[Turns to his son and laughs. 

DR.. LANFEAR 

Guilty? 

THE PATIENT 

The guiltiest man I ever had. I've defended a few. 
He was the worst. But I got him off. [Laughs glee- 
fully at the remembrance ; stands behind a chair, both 
hands on the back of it: looks back into the past: then 
speaks forensically and perfectly quietly as though talk- 
ing to himself.] " Gentlemen of the jury, this is no 
ordinary case. You are not trying an ordinary man. 
You have before you an American citizen, fighting for 
his life. A man of infinite capacity, unimpeachable in- 
tegrity and sterling worth. It is your duty in reviewing 
the evidence to find his guilt or attest his innocence. 
Frankly I do not know which is right, but with you, 
gentlemen, to help me, I am confident that we will ar- 
rive at a true, a just and an American verdict. 
[Mrs. Lanfear and Dr. Lanfear go each side of 

him.] 

[Rouses himself as if from a dream: looks at his wife 
and son.] I'm going back into harness. Into the fight. 



ACT III 

[Puts both his hands on his son's shoulders.] Stay with 

me for a while. Don't leave me — just yet. I want to 

know I can turn to you — like a sick person. Will you 
stay by me — for a while } 

DR. LANFEAE 

Yes. 

THE PATIENT 

Some day, when the words come I'll — I'll tell you 
what I feel. Just now — just now — it's — it's not 
easy. [Turns away to hide his emotion: moves across 
and stands a moment by the table. After a few seconds 
he sees the syringe and the morphine box. He looks at 
them, then a broad smile creases his features. He takes 
them up and holds them out to his sore.] Take these 
away, like a good fellow, will ye? 

[Dr. Lanpear takes the syringe, puts it in his vest 
pocket and the morphine box into the side pocket of 
his coat.] 
[The three people look at each other and laugh hap- 
pily.] 



THE END OF THE PLAY 



<221> 



APPENDIX 

Subjects Dealt with in the Drama in 
Relation to the Drug Habit. 

PAGE 

What certain doctors are doing for the protection of 

the community 30 

Prisons hot-houses where crime is incubated . . 31 

The effect of cocaine 37 

The difference in treating the poor and the rich 

drug-taker 39 

Self-respect the basis of any permanent cure . . 40 
Morphine first administered in cases where an acci- 
dent has occurred 43 

The danger of allowing nurses to administer drugs 

in the absence of a doctor 43 

Morphine given to children 43 

Heroin and its effect on the community . . . 44 
The responsibility of the authorities to give relief 

to drug-takers 45 

Drugs in homes, schools, workshops, factories, and 

prisons 45 

Drugs in headache powders and patent-medicines . 47 
Clearing house in Washington for all drugs brought 

into the United States 49 

Cocaine, and its relation to the lawyer, surgeon, and 

statesman 49 

Tricks adopted by drug-takers to avoid being re- 
lieved and the measures taken by doctors to over- 
come them 50 

-C223> 



APPENDIX 

PAGE 

On restoring self-respect to the man of intelligence 

who has formed the drug-habit 52 

The part the hypodermic syringe has played in fos- 
tering and multiplying the drug-habit ... 53 
Awakening self-respect in a professor of science 

who had become an addict 53 

Description of a morphine-cocaine drug-fiend . . 60 

How the man started taking drugs 72 

What the drug-habit brought him to . . . . i 1 1 1 
The ignorance of doctors in administering morphine 114 

"Home-Cures" and their effect 114 

A sanitarium and its effect 115 

The morphine-mind 115 

How "dope-fiends" stand by each other . . .116 
The object of giving morphine and the horrible ef- 
fect of it being administered ignorantly . . .123 

The doctors' responsibility 124 

Night and morning in the life of a drug-fiend . .135 

Forty grains a day! 137 

An evil spirit in a human body 146 

Shame and the drug-habit 148 

Stages a patient goes through when being deprived 

of the drug 160 

The body a prison of pain 161 

How an indiscreet nurse may restore the craving 
for drugs to a patient who has almost rid himself 

of the habit 171 to 179 

The last stage of deprivation 183 

The confession of a woman who contracted the mor- 
phine habit at the time of her confinement . . 204 
The patient free of drug-poison 212 

One last test 219 

-C224> 



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